This combination of circumstances is known as a pollutant linkage.

For a site to meet the definition of contaminated land, a pollutant linkage must be established.

Before land can be contaminated there has to be a pollutant linkage.

Unless all three elements of a pollutant linkage are identified, land cannot be considered contaminated as defined by the Act.

The definition of contaminated land is based upon the principles of pollutant linkages and risk assessment.

These persons then constitute a "Class B liability group" for the significant pollutant linkage.

Pollutant linkage The relationship between contaminant, pathway and receptor.

It may be, however, that circumstances will be identified whereby a significant pollutant linkage could occur at some time in the future.

The Environment Agency has not recommended a clean-up, because the pool was considered stable with no significant "pollutant linkages".

The detailed investigation of contaminated land will be terminated as soon as it is clear that no significant pollutant linkage exists.

Paragraph A.14 Pollutant: a contaminant which forms part of a pollutant linkage.

From the results of the investigations we will undertake a risk assessment to identify or confirm pollutant linkages and design the remedial works for the site.

Characterise plausible pollutant linkages - risk assessment A sampling strategy is determined taking into consideration costs, enduse of site, and any other constraints.

If a pollutant linkage does not exist, or, if it does, it is not significant, then the investigation of a site will cease.

Remediation package: the full set or sequence of remediation actions, within a remediation scheme, which are referable to a particular significant pollutant linkage.

It must be understood that the list is not exhaustive, and that inclusion on this list does not necessarily infer the existence of a pollutant linkage.

Figure 1 Source Pathway Receptor Paradigm It can be useful to describe the principles of risk management also in terms of dealing with a pollutant linkage.

Paragraph C.8(g) Orphan linkage: a significant pollutant linkage for which no appropriate person can be found, or where those who would otherwise be liable are exempted by one of the relevant statutory provisions.

D.74 The history and circumstances of different areas of contaminated land, and the nature of the responsibility of each of the members of any Class A liability group for a significant pollutant linkage, are likely to vary greatly.

If the three components of the pollutant linkage exist, a risk assessment will be undertaken to determine the likelihood of harm being caused and the likely nature and extent of the harm caused if the predicted event actually occurred.

Where the Council is satisfied that significant harm is occurring, or there is a significant possibility of such harm, or pollution of controlled waters, they will declare that a significant pollutant linkage exists and that the land is contaminated.