I
s
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, B.C. 20460
OFFICE OF
SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
July 26, 2000
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
FROM:
TO:
Tools for Enhancing Comm
Entitled Superfund Risk
iers
inity Involvement in Risk Assessment: Videotape
[ssessment and How You Can Help and A Companion
IcfKng Director
lergency and Remedial Response
Superfund Regional Policy Managers
Regions 1-10
PURPOSE
The purpose of tljis memorandum is to:
Announce the availability of the 40-minute videotape entitled Superfund Risk
Assessment and How You Can Help (EPA 540-V-99-002, OSWER 9285.7-29A , September
1999) and its companion Presenter's Manual (EPA 540/R-99/013, OSWER 9285.7-29,
July 2000); and,
Encourage the use of these products to enhance and promote early community
involvement and improve public understanding of the Superfund human health risk
assessment process. (Copies will also be distributed to EPA regional community
relations staff and risk assessors.)
BACKGROUND
The October 1995 Superfund Administrative Reforms #6b directed EPA to improve
current national risk assessment guidance and promote stakeholder involvement. In 1996,
EPA held two stakeholder meetings to prioritize the parts of the existing Risk
Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS) requiring revisions and updates. Community
involvement during the risk assessment was a high priority among the stakeholders.
Since the stakeholder meetings, EPA developed new tools to help Superfund staff
enhance the role of citizens in the risk assessment process. A videotape and brochures
providing an overview of risk assessment for general audiences were distributed to
regional risk assessors1-and community relations staff in October 1999. This videotape
should be used to supplement those materials.
The videotape and companion materials were developed to complement the 1999 RAGS
supplement: Human Health Evaluation Manual Part A - Community Involvement in Superfund
Risk Assessment (EPA 540-R-98-042, OSWER-9285.7-01E-P, March 1999
(http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/risk/ragsa/ci--ra.htm). These materials were
developed with input from a broad range of stakeholders, many of whom are citizens
living on or near Superfund sites.
-------
The following EPA staff took the lead in developing the videotape and companion
materials: Elmer Akin (Region 4), Diana Hammer (Region 8), Jayne Michaud (OERR) and
Kevin Garrahan (NCEA-DC). Communities previewed this videotape and provided many useful
suggestions. The presenter's manual incorporated guidance provided in RAGS (1999), and
the video team would like to credit Sophia Serda (Region 9) and Bruce Engelbert (OERR)
for their contributions.
V
OBJECTIVE AND IMPLEMENTATION
The Videotape; The purpose of the videotape is to assist EPA staff when
explaining risk assessment methods to citizens who are interested in learning more and
getting involved. The .^videotape and materials are tools that help explain key technical
issues that are crucial to risk assessment. EPA staff should -use these materials to
encourage early and effective community involvement at Superfund sites. The level of
effort for community involvement in the human health risk assessment is best determined
on a site-by-site basis. All staff are encouraged to use the shorter videotape to gauge
the level of interest in the topic before showing the longer, more detailed version.
The best way to use this video will be in learning sessions with communities and EPA
staff, with EPA risk assessors available to discuss issues in greater detail.
The Presenter's Manual: The Presenter's Manual provides helpful information in a
concise, user-friendly format. Presenters are strongly encouraged to read this manual
before using the videotape with a community audience. The manual summarizes for the
presenter:
• Presenter's Checklist,
• Highlights of the technical concepts introduced in the videotape,
• Sample questions to ask citizens to encourage community involvement,
• Commonly asked questions and answers (provided by Alvin Chun and Arnold Den
of EPA Region 9), and,
• Handouts for Citizens including:
*• Glossary of terms
>• Fact Sheets
> Community resources.
The manual emphasizes the responsibilities of the presenter and recommends that
each presenter:
• Prepare for site-specific questions,
• Provide technical staff resources,
• Allow time for discussion, and
• Follow up.
Please encourage your staff to use these materials to enhance the role of
communities in the human health Superfund risk assessment process. The materials
reflect the many concerns and questions that have been voiced by citizens regarding
Superfund sites and risk assessment. As illustrated in the videotape, communities have
provided valuable information at many Superfund sites. EPA encourages all staff to
consider the important role of local citizens to the accurate characterization of
exposures and risks. Early and proactive involvement will serve to strengthen the
public's knowledge and the partnership between the Agency and communities.
For further information, please contact any of the authors, or Jayne Michaud at
(703) 603-8847 or michaud. -javne@epa.crov.
-------
cc: w/o attachments
s '.
OERR Accelerated^Regional Response Directors
OERR Senior Process Managers
Timothy Fields, Assistant Administrator, OSWER
Elaine F. Davies, Deputy Director OERR, 5202G
Paul Nadeau, Acting Deputy Director OERR, 5202G
Suzanne Wells, Director Community Involvement and Outreach Center, 5204G
Regional Toxics integration Coordinators
Regional Community Involvement Coordinators
Barry N. Breen, OSRE, 22VIA
Guy A. Tomassoni, OSW, 5303W
Joanna Gibson, HOSC/OERR, 5202G
OERR Records Manager, IMC/OERR, 5202G
-------
------- |