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 ------- ------- |