r a> * §• si to Co HSf fcir |§ •^ EPA-SOO-F-92-001 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency juiy 1992 Of//ce of Science and Technology: ------- EPA's overall goal, in -support of the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Act, is to reduce risks to looth ecological systems and human health. The Office of Science and Technology plays a key role in fulfilling this commitment to protecting our nation's waters. tz: "' Developing the Scientific Basis for a. Regulatory Framework The Office of Science and Technology (OST) is located in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water. Our office works cooperatively with other organizations to develop scientifically defensible criteria, guidelines, regula- • tions, and advisories that provide the regulatory framework for: • Restoring and maintain- ing the physical, chemi- cal, and biological integrity of the nation's water resources, • Protecting the nation's public water supplies, and The office issues health advisories for use .by the states in protecting chinking water supplies under the Safe Drinking Water Act and • sponsors extensive, research on the effects of pollutants on aquatic organisms, fish, and wildlife. This information is used by federal, state, and local governments to set limits on the kinds of pollutants that may be discharged by industries and that may be present in public drinking water supplies. Working closely with indus- tries, trade associations, and environmental groups, we also help to incorporate techniques into manufactur- ing processes to prevent polluting chemicals from being created or used in many industries. While OST provides the scientific basis for many programs that protect human health and the environment, the information is communi- cated to the state and local governments through EPA's ten regional offices. The regions provide the tools and training needed to incorpo- rate the technical require- ments into state programs. ------- Producing Diverse Programs The three divisions that make up OST are committed to protecting human health and the environment by carrying out research on the effects of pollutants that are discharged into our nation's surface waters. They focus on such diverse programs as technology-based controls and pollution prevention techniques for industrial dischargers, human health and environmental risks, risk assessments, and state water quality standards. ' Engineering and Analysis Division (EAD) This division*is knowledge- able in all aspects of manufacturing processes and pollution treatment . technologies. Its mission is to develop industrial . discharge guidelines and effluent standards for industries that discharge directly into surface waters or into municipal treatment plants. Industrial pollution prevention is a key aspect of EAD's services. Indus- tries selected for guidelines are generally those whose discharges present the greatest risk to human health or to the aquatic environment. Health and Ecological Criteria Division (HECD) Well-trained in assessing the behavior of chemicals in the environment, this division conducts extensive investigations'on chemicals that may pose health risks to humans and aquatic ecosystems. These analyses focus on pollutant path- ways and effects on humans and aquatic life. They result in the issuance of ecological and human health criteria, advisories for specific chemicals in public drinking water supplies, and criteria for properly using and disposing of municipal sewage sludge.. Standards and Applied Science Division (SASD) Staffed by a highly diversi- fied group of environmental specialists, scientists, and engineers/ this division works closely with the EPA regional offices to help states incorporate criteria devel- oped by other OST divisions into their water quality standards. The staff also assesses potential risks to humans resulting from fish and sediment that have been contaminated by toxic pollutants. ------- Providing Risk Assessment Support Providing National Scientific Support OST develops methods and assesses risks to help predict the effects of different levels of pollutants on human health and the environment. Using information from risk analyses, we provide support to Agency and State water pollution control .*, programs that address: • Point source discharges, • Non-point source discharges, • Wetland protection, • Drinking water protection, and • National resource protection. The office also sponsors seminars for scientists in both the public and private sectors to help them understand the technical aspects of risk assessments, and methodologies. Our diversified staff includes scientists, biologists, chem- ists, engineers, environmen- tal specialists, economists, statisticians, and other skilled professionals. These professionals rely on . research conducted either independently by the Agency or jointly with other federal agencies, research and academic institutions, and environmental groups. This consortium has a common focus: to acquire information that will help us better understand the effect of pollutants on the aquatic environment and to develop ways to reduce the risk from harmful pollutants. For additional information you may contact: United States EnvironmentalProtectionAgency Office of Water Resource Center (WH-556-RC) 401M Street, S.W. . Washington, D.C. 20460 (202) 260-7786 ------- |