UNITED STATES ENVIROt*CNTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II, New York, New York 10271
DATE: May 18, 1988
SUBJECT: Risk Assessment Review
FRCM:
Deputy Regiona1 Administrator
Office of Regulatory Support and Scientific Assessment
Attached is a copy of the Risk Assessment Review, a bimonthly
publication that ii a cooperative effort between the Office
of Research and Development and the Regional Risk Assessment
Ne two r k.
The Review serves as a focal point for information exchange
among the EPA risk assessment corrmunity on both technical
and policy issues related to risk assessment. It is currently
in its second year of publication, and we are pleased at the
positive feedback we've received on the Review's usefulness
to staff across the Agency.
Thanks to all of you who continue to contribute articles
and are involved with production efforts. If you have an
article to contribute or any suggestions for future issues,
contact one of the Committee members listed on page 1 of
the review.
At t achraent

-------
April 1988
Highlights
•	Still More on EPA's New Risk
Communication Program 	 p. 1
•	Center for Exposure Assessment
Modeling 	 p. 1
•	IRIS Made Available to Public 	 p. 1
•	Site Specific Risk Assessment Database p. 9
•	Risk Assessors Meeting in June 	 p. 9
I. Special Feature
STILL MORE ON EPA'S NEW RISK
COMMUNICATION PROGRAM
by Ann Fisher (FTSi 382-5500
The three most recent issues of the Risk Assessment
Review emphasized that risk communication can help in
achieving EPA's mission to reduce environmental risk.
Communicating about risk can alert people about how to
reduce their own risk, and it can help the regulated
community to understand what they must do-and how
their required actions will lower risks.
So far, the Risk Assessment Review has described
three components of EPA's Risk Communication
Program (RCP): problem-specific consulting and
analysis, methods development, and outreach. The RCP
is coordinating the diverse risk communication activities
across the Agency's programs and regions, so that we
can learn as much as possible from one activity to
improve the effectiveness of others as they come along.
This issue of the Risk Assessment Review covers the
crucial training component. Research for developing
new risk communication approaches and evaluating the
effectiveness of our risk communication activities will
not improve our risk communication efforts unless the
practitioners-those who actually do the com-
municating-have a way to learn what works and what
does not work. That is where training comes into the
Risk Communication Program.
Risk training for EPA staff at all levels has become a
higher priority for the Agency. The Office of Policy,
Planning and Evaluation (OPPE) has been sponsoring a
generic course on risk assessment, risk management,
and risk communication. This course was pilot tested
last June, and it has been delivered 19 times at
headquarters to 216 people. The regions have trained
711 people and intend to train about 3,000 more.
Various second-level courses for specialized needs
are in place or are being planned. For example, the
Office of Research and Development (ORD) has
developed courses for a technical audience on the risk
assessment guidelines, IRIS, and exposure. The
Superfund and RCRA offices have developed training
programs pursuing detailed objectives. To coordinate all
of the risk training activities, the Administrator has
established a regions/headquarters Risk Training
Committee, chaired by William J. Muszynski, Deputy
Regional Administrator of Region II and staffed by
OPPE.
(See Risk Communication p. 2)
Risk Assessment Review Committee
Peter Preuss - ORD, FTS 382-7669
Sally Edwards - Region I, FTS 835-3387
Maria Pavlova - OTS, FTS 382-3801
Marian Olsen - Region II. FTS 264-5682
Susan Deihl - Region IV, FTS 257-5065
Suzanne Wuerthele - Region VIII, FTS 564-1714
Dana Davoli - Region X, FTS 399-2135
II. Headquarters
IRIS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC
By Jacqueline Patterson (FTS 684-7575)
EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) was
made available to those outside of EPA in April. IRIS is
an on-line database of chemical-specific risk
assessment information useful for performing risk
assessments and making risk management decisions. A
Federal Register notice will announce the release of the
system.
Access to the system is through DIALCOM, Inc.'s
electronic mail (E-Mail) system. Most offices within
EPA already have electronic mail accounts. To acquire
additional accounts in EPA, or for more information
about E-Mail, contact E-Mail User Support at FTS
382-5639. Those outside of EPA should contact
DIALCOM directly. The contact is:
Mike McLaughlin
DIALCOM, Inc.
600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 307
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 488-0550
IRIS is also available to Public Health Foundation
members (primarily state health departments) through
the Foundation's Public Health Network. The contact is
Paul Johnson at (202) 898-5600.
For more information on IRIS, call IRIS User Support at
FTS 684-7254.
CENTER FOR EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT
MODELING (CEAM)
by Robert Ambrose (FTS 250-3130)
The EPA Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling
(CEAM) was established in July 1987 to meet the
scientific and technical exposure assessment needs of
EPA's Program and Regional Offices and the states.
CEAM is the designated Technical Support Center for
Ecological Risk Assessment. The Center is also the
focal point for a variety of general Agency support
activities related to the scientifically defensible
application of state-of-the-art exposure assessment
technology for environmental risk-based decisions.
CEAM provides exposure assessment technology and
training for decisions required by various legislative
mandates, including FIFRA, CWA, TSCA, RCRA,
(See CEAM p. 3)
1

-------
RISK COMMUNICATION (Continued from p. 1)
Two upcoming training courses are specifically for risk
communication. The first is a four-hour course for
Superfund site managers being planned by Sally
Edwards in Region I (FTS 835-3387). It will be
conducted on May 19 and again on June 2. The second
is a day-and-a-half course being developed for EPA
staff more broadly (Derry Allen, FTS 382-4012).
Among other materials, the course relies on case
studies put together by Tufts University. It will be pilot
tested this summer. It is designed to be flexible so that
its components can be meshed with program specifics
and tailored for the needs of subgroups of EPA staff.
Anyone who missed the last three issues of the Risk
Assessment Review can consult the list of risk
communication projects maintained on the E-Mail Risk
Assessment/Risk Management Bulletin Board. (Once in
E-Mail, type "PRPOST" at the > prompt, and "RISK"
when asked for a category. Occasionally, the list is
removed for updating.)
The project list below has brief descriptions of risk
communication training activities that are complete,
ongoing, or proposed. A contact name and phone
number are included, so that you can find out more
about a specific study. For more information on the Risk
Communication Program in general, call its hotline
number, FTS 382-5606. Future issues of the Risk
Assessment Review will include updates of the entire
project list and occasional longer articles about specific
projects.
Completed
1.	Handbook entitled "Explaining Environmental Risk."
Sponsored by the Office of Toxic Substances
(OTS), now in distribution. (OTS Hotline: FTS 382-
3790)
2.	Risk Communication seminar for the Regional
Public Affairs Officers (May 1987). (Linda Reed,
FTS 382-4361, Derry Allen, FTS 382-4012)
3.	RCRA Public Participation Course: Guidance on
Public Involvement in RCRA published January
1986. (Vanessa Musgrave, FTS 382-4751)
4.	OERR presented "Risk Assessment in Superfund"
to Superfund regional staff in ten sessions from
May through July 1987. The course covered the
risk assessment process for superfund sites
outlined in the Superfund Public Health Evaluation
Manual. Updated and revised course to be
presented in the future. (Sandra Lee, FTS 382-
4000).
5.	Handbook entitled "Superfund Public Health
Evaluation Manual," sponsored by the Office of
Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR)
(OSWER Directive 9285.4-1, October 1986)
available through the Public Information Center
(FTS 382-2080). Manual to be updated to reflect
SARA and new information on assessing public
health risks to toxic substances. (Sandra Lee, FTS
382-4000)
6.	Risk Assessment training: the "Dinitrochickenwire"
case. (Pam Stirling, FTS 382-2747)
7.	Risk Management training: the "Dinitrochickenwire"
case. (Pam Stirling, FTS 382-2747)
8.	RCRA Corrective Action Case for Office of Solid
Waste (OSW). (Pam Stirling, FTS 382-2747;
Jackie Krieger, FTS 382-4646)
Ongoing
9.	"Risk and Decision Making," introductory training
on risk assessment, risk management and risk
communication (the "Electrobotics" case). Piloted
in June, 1987; course started Fall 1987 and is
"booked up" through May 1988 (Mary Setnicar,
FTS 382-2747)
10.	Risk Communication training: second level course
to follow "Risk and Decision Making." Course to be
pilot - tested Summer 1988. (Derry Allen, FTS
382-4012)
11.	Specialized training on risk assessment guidelines,
IRIS, exposure (for Technical staff), ORD lead.
(Peter Preuss, FTS 382-7317)
12.	Risk assessment/management/communication
components of the Office of Standards and
Regulations (OSR) course on Regulation
Development in EPA. Pilot tested 10/87; offered
periodically, beginning January 1988. (Maggie
Thielen, FTS 382-5494)
13.	Risk Communication Training: four-hour course for
Superfund site managers, based on case study
results in Region I. Scheduled for May 19, 1988 and
again in early June. (Sally Edwards, FTS 835-
3387)
Proposed
14.	Drinking water contaminants: A pilot project to
develop and test training materials about
communicating the risk of drinking water
contaminants, using lead as a case study. (Jeanne
Briskin, FTS 382-5456; Ann Fisher, FTS 382-
5500)
15.	Superfund site risk communication: Region IV has
requested assistance in training staff to respond to
risk questions posed at community meetings about
the RI/FS. The training materials would be tested in
Region IV before use in other Regions. (Ann Fisher,
FTS 382-5500)
16.	Environmental Risk Education Program: Proposal
being considered to fund a small clearinghouse
designed to assist professors teaching
environmental risk ideas. Joint project with ORD.
(Scott Baker, FTS 382-7449; Dan Beardsley, FTS
382-2747; Derry Allen. FTS 382-4012)
17.	Handbook on individual risk perspective: To
develop a training handbook for explaining how
individuals can put their own environmental risks in
the context of the other risks they face in their lives,
(draft Summer, '88; Alan Carlin, FTS 382-5499)
2

-------
18. Training about Community Environmental Risks. In
response to RFP, considering proposals to develop
manual and "train-the-trainers" course for public
officials to use in communicating with communities
about toxic chemicals in a local environment. Such
chemicals might be in Superfund sites or revealed
by Title III of SARA. (Ann Fisher. FTS 382-5500;
Janice Quinn, FTS 475-8600; Mike Stahl, FTS
382-3790).
The following conferences on risk communi-
cation/assessment are scheduled for 1988:
American Institute of Chemical Engineers and National
Response Team - 1988 Hazardous Material Spills
Conference, Chicago, May 16-19, 1988
Center for Law and Technology and International Law
Journal of Boston University School of Law -
Responsibilities of Multinational Corporations to
Disclose and Communicate Risk Information, Boston,
March 24-25, 1988
APCA '88, Dallas (2 sessions) June 19-24, 1988
Interagency Task Force on Environmental Cancer and
Heart and Lung Disease. Workshop on Evaluation
and Effective Risk Communication, June 2-3, 1988,
Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University and Stanford University
Workshop for Journalists on Communicating about
the Health Effects of Pesticides, May 10, 1988, Palo
Alto, CA.
New Technologies Safety and Health Institute, "New
Technologies in Established Industries: Lessons in
Hazard Management," May 26-27, 1988,
Worcester, MA.
Risk and Decision Processes Center, "Risk Assessment
and Risk Management Strategies for Hazardous
Waste Storage and Disposal Problems," May 18-
19, 1988, Philadelphia, PA.
Northwest Center for Professional Education and the
Society for Risk Analysis, "Effective Risk
Communication for Plant Managers, Public Affairs
Managers, Environmental Managers, Controversial
Facilities", June 27, 1988, Arlington, VA
Contact: Ann Fisher, FTS 382-5500
CEAM (Continued from p. 1)
SDWA, and Superfund. The CEAM manager, Robert
Ambrose, and primary support staff are located at the
Environmental Research Laboratory, Athens, Georgia.
CEAM Support Activities
To support the Agency and states in environmental
risk-based decisions concerning protection of air,
water, and soil, CEAM seeks to expand the applications
expertise for quantitatively assessing pollutant exposure
as part of the human and ecological risk assessments.
CEAM will:
o Provide proven predictive exposure assessment
techniques for aquatic, atmospheric, terrestrial, and
multimedia pathways for organic chemicals and
metals.
•	Maintain the Superfund Ecological Risk Technical
Support Center, provide training and assistance to
regional and headquarters staff in exposure and
EcoRisk assessments.
•	Maintain a distribution center for continually
updated models (codes and documentation) and
databases for Regional, state, and Program Office
users and their consultants; keep users up-to-
date through user group meetings and a newsletter.
•	Provide exposure assessment training for EPA and
state personnel at regional sites, at EPA
headquarters, and at the Environmental Research
Laboratory, Athens GA using instructors from
CEAM and staff from the Center for Environmental
Research Information (CERi), the EPA Training
Institute, and other experts from within the Agency,
states, and from the academic, and consulting
communities. Opportunities for rotational, on-the-
job training assignments at CEAM also will be
provided.
•	Provide requested assistance through "expert
witness" testimony, review of individual exposure
assessment modeling problems, exposure
calculations and assessments for especially difficult
or unusual scenarios, peer review of exposure and
EcoRisk assessments, and in-depth support for
high priority Agency projects.
•	Provide assistance in the conduct of EcoRisk
assessments for the complete range of program
needs as part of RCRA, Superfund, TSCA, FIFRA,
and CWA.
CEAM Specialty Areas
Exposure assessment expertise is available for
multimedia modeling of organic chemical and heavy
metal pollutant fate; regional and local air contaminant
modeling; source and site characterization, monitoring,
and measurement; marine and estuarine pollutant fate
modeling; pollutant dose-response modeling;
ecological impact and EcoRisk assessments. This
expertise is drawn from the CEAM and associate staff at
the Environmental Research Laboratory, Athens, GA
(ERL-Athens), plus experts at affiliated laboratories
including the Environmental Research Laboratory,
Duluth, MN (ERL-Duluth); the Environmental
Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Las Vegas, NV
(EMSL-Las Vegas); the Environmental Research
Laboratory, Narragansett, Rl (ERL-Narragansett); the
Atmospheric Sciences Research Laboratory, Research
Triangle Park, NC (ASRL); the Environmental Research
Laboratory, Gulf Breeze, FL (ERL-Gulf Breeze); the
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory,
Research Triangle Park, NC (EMSL-RTP); and the
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory,
Cincinnati, OH (EMSL-Cincinnati).
Multimedia Exposure Assessment - ERL-Athens
develops aquatic and terrestrial exposure models and
measures or estimates the physical, chemical, and
biological properties (rate and equilibrium constants)
3

-------
that are needed for model operation. Environmental
decision-making tools include pollutant fate and
exposure models; conventional pollutant loading and
ecosystem response models; knowledge-based expert
systems; multimedia assessment, management, and
control strategy development and evaluation
methodologies; and procedures for conducting
uncertainty analysis. Models are applicable to
watersheds, surface and ground waters, agricultural
areas, hazardous waste sites, spill sites, water treatment
plants, wildlife habitats, etc.
Air Models - ASRL conducts research on atmospheric
chemical, physical, and meteorological processes and
develops models to relate pollutant source emissions to
air pollutant concentrations at receptor sites and wet-
and dry-fall source inputs to land and surface water
media.
Marine and Estuarine Exposure Models - ERL-
Narragansett develops exposure assessment method-
ologies for quantifying transport and transformation of
pollutants in marine and estuarine environments.
Monitoring and Measurement Methods - EMSL-Las
Vegas designs and conducts remote sensing and field
sampling studies and operates monitoring systems to
characterize sources and sites for modeling
assessment.
Dose-Response Models - ERL-Duluth provides ex-
pertise in predicting exposure within and impact on
aquatic organisms (dose response), and physiologically
based pharmacokinetic models of intoxication
processes relating adverse effects on a target organ to
the external concentration profile.
Monitoring and Measurement Methods - EMSL-
Cincinnati develops analytical methods for the
measurement of toxic materials in industrial wastewater,
solid waste, and Superfund samples.
Estuarine Effects - ERL Gulf Breeze provides expertise
in predicting the lethal and sublethal impact of exposure
to hazardous materials in coastal, estuarine, and marine
environments, including effects on ecological structure
and function and the resiliency of populations,
communities, and ecosystems.
Air Monitoring - EMSL-RTP develops monitoring
systems for measuring air pollutants and determining
personal exposure in ambient air, in indoor air, and
around toxic waste sites, and conducts special air
monitoring studies to assess atmospheric pollution
problems and evaluate exposure models.
Model Support and Distribution
The modeling packages currently available through the
Center were selected from many candidate models by
experienced users in EPA regulatory and regional
offices and by the Center staff. Selection criteria
included model utility and effectiveness, availability of
adequate documentation, degree of acceptance and
application by users, and the Center staff's experience
with the model. A wide range of analysis techniques is
provided, from simple desk-top techniques suitable for
screening analysis through computerized steady-state
models to sophisticated, state-of-the-art continuous
simulation models. Supported models are now available
for microcomputer applications. Personal computer
versions of these computer programs are designed for
the PC DOS operating system on the IBM PC XT/AT
family of microcomputers and compatible systems.
In response to requests for software, the Center
provides a copy of the model documentation and a 9-
track magnetic tape of the computer code; or, when
appropriate, the Center can provide the computer code
on user-supplied diskettes for IBM-PC compatible
personal computers. In Spring 1988, a new disk
duplication system will add the capability to support
high-density (1.2MB) 5-1/4 inch diskettes and 3-1/2
inch diskettes in addition to the currently supported 360
KB diskettes. The Center also functions as a
clearinghouse for correcting code and routine errors or
other problems that are discovered as the techniques
are applied. This vital information exchange function
helps users obtain correct computations when applying
a model developed for one purpose to a new and
different problem. New software releases periodically
document code updates and corrections to known
problems. Model maintenance activities focus on
overcoming problems in the use of models; further
development, refinement, and extension of these
models is a separate research and development activity.
The Center periodically distributes, free of charge, a
newsletter to a large number of model users and
developers in the Agency, other Federal, regional and
state environmental management agencies and their
consultants, international agencies, and private industry
and academia. The newsletter provides helpful hints to
model users and communicates information on
scheduled workshops, model improvements and
developments, the availability of technical documents,
and planned meetings and conferences.
The CEAM Electronic Bulletin Board System (BBS) is
designed to meet the increasing demand for exposure
assessment models supported by the Center. It will
allow more efficient communication between users and
support staff, as well as immediate acquisition of
models by those users under extreme time pressure.
The CEAM BBS has been installed using a
commercially available software package. Currently, the
BBS is available to users from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
weekdays, and 24 hours throughout weekends. A
dedicated computer being acquired to support the BBS
full time should be available in Spring 1988.
The services presently offered are: 1. downloading of
CEAM supported simulation models; 2. uploading of
user input data sets for staff review and problem
solving; 3. bulletin area listing current CEAM activities
and events, such as training courses, helpful hints about
the models, and model documentation; and 4. message
area for discussion of computer modeling problems and
enhancements.
To access the CEAM BBS, call DD (404) 546-3402 or
FTS 250-3402 and follow the interactive prompts. The
communications parameters needed for this BBS are
2400/1200 baud modem, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1
stop bit. To access the CEAM BBS via the EPA Dec
Net, type SET HOST ATHENS, USERNAME = BBS,
PASSWORD = ATHENS. This will allow access to the
4

-------
CEAM BBS without long distance charges. Downloading
of models and uploading of datasets is not possible
through Dec Net.
Currently Distributed Models
Water Quality Assessment: A Screening Procedure for
Toxic and Conventional Pollutants in Surface and
Ground Waters is a collection of formulas, tables, and
graphs that planners can use for preliminary
assessment of surface and ground water quality in large
river basins. These desk-top procedures are
appropriate for hand calculators.
Stream Quality Model QUAL2E is a steady-state model
for conventional pollutants in one-dimensional streams
and well-mixed lakes. The conventional pollutants
include conservative substances, temperature, bacteria,
biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen,
nitrogen, phosphorus, and algae. (4 diskettes).
DYNTOX is a waste load allocation computer program
that uses a probabilistic dilution technique to estimate
concentrations of toxic substances or fractions of whole
effluent toxicity. (3 Diskettes)
MINTEQA1 is a geochemical model that is capable of
calculating equilibrium aqueous speciation, adsorption,
gas phase partitioning, solid phase saturation states,
and precipitation dissolution of 11 metals (arsenic,
cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel,
selenium, silver, thallium, and zinc). (5 Diskettes)
Exposure Analysis Modeling System is a steady-state
and dynamic model designed for rapid evaluation of the
behavior of synthetic organic chemicals in lakes, rivers,
and estuaries. (4 Diskettes)
Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) is a
comprehensive model for simulation of urban runoff
quantity and quality. All aspects of the urban hydrologic
and quality cycles are simulated including surface
runoff, transport through the drainage network, and
storage and treatment (including cost). (4 Diskettes)
Hydrological Simulation Program - FORTRAN (HSPF)
is a comprehensive package for simulation of watershed
hydrology and water quality for both conventional and
toxic organic pollutants. HSPF incorporates the
watershed-scale ARM (Agricultural Runoff Model) and
NPS (Non-Point Source) models into a basin-scale
analysis framework that includes pollutant transport and
transformation in stream channels. (8 Diskettes)
Pesticide Root Zone Model (PRZM) simulates the
vertical movement of pesticides in unsaturated soil, both
within and below the plant root zone, and extending to
the water table using generally available input data that
are reasonable in spatial and temporal requirements.
The model consists of hydrology and chemical transport
components that simulate runoff, erosion, plant uptake,
leaching, decay, foliar wash off, and volatilization
(implicitly) of a pesticide. (2 Diskettes)
Water Analysis Simulation Program (WASP4) is a
generalized modeling framework for contaminant fate
and transport in surface waters. Toxics WASP (TOXI4)
combines a kinetic structure adapted from EXAMS with
the WASP transport structure and simple sediment
balance algorithms to predict dissolved and sorbed
chemical concentrations in the bed and overlying
waters. Eutrophication WASP (EUTR04) combines a
kinetic structure adapted from the Potomac
Eutrophication Model with the WASP transport structure.
EUTR04 predicts dissolved oxygen, carbonaceous
biochemical oxygen demand, phytoplankton, carbon,
and chlorophyll a, ammonia, nitrate, organic, nitrogen,
and orthophosphate in the bed and overlying waters. (3
Diskettes)
The Food Chain Model is an associated program that
takes the time and space-variable pollutant
concentrations calculated from WASP4, and predicts
uptake and distribution throughout a user-described
aquatic food chain. (1 Diskette)
DYNHYD4 is a simple link-node hydrodynamic model
capable of handling variable tidal cycles, wind, and
unsteady inflows. It produces an output file that can be
linked with WASP4'to supply the flows and volumes to
the water quality model. (1 Diskette)
SARAH is a steady-state mixing zone model for
back-calculating acceptable concentrations of
hazardous wastes discharged to land disposal or
waste-water treatment facilities. The human exposure
pathways considered include ingestion of treated
drinking water and consumption of contaminated fish. (2
Diskettes)
FGETS is a toxicokinetic model that simulates the
bioaccumulation of nonpolar organic chemicals by fish
from both water and tainted food. In addition to
simulating bioaccumulation of organic toxicants, FGETS
also can calculate time to death from chemicals whose
mode of action is narcosis. This calculation is based on
the existence of a single, lethal, internal chemical
activity for such chemicals. (1 Diskette).
Models To Be Added For Distribution in FY88
Several model development projects are underway to
provide additional modeling tools to support Agency
regulatory programs. The research and development
programs producing these models at the ERL-Athens
include projects on EcoRisk assessment, land disposal
of hazardous wastes, and exposure assessment models
for pesticides.
Multimedia Exposure Assessment Model for Hazardous
Wastes simulates the release and fate of hazardous
waste constituents derived from land disposal systems.
Soil (unsaturated zones), atmospheric, ground water,
and surface water routes are included. The model is
implemented within a Monte Carlo framework to
facilitate uncertainty analysis as an integral part of risk
assessment.
Pesticide Ground Water Exposure Assessment Model
provides a linked system of models that combines root
zone dynamics (PRZM) with unsaturated-saturated
zone transport and fate predictions for pesticides. The
modeling package combines one and two-dimensional
finite element codes and enables simulation of a wide
range of environmental settings. This model is also
implemented within a Monte Carlo framework to
facilitate uncertainty analysis.
Terrestrial Environmental Exposure Assessment Model
computes the distribution, movement, and potential
ecological impact of chemical pollutants released to
terrestrial environments. Atmospheric transport and
5

-------
interactions within the soil-plant-water complex are
included.
Drinking Water Treatment Plants can be simulated by
combining the unit operations typically employed in
designed systems. This model uses chemical-specific
data and mass transport theory to estimate the
exposure reductions achieved by treating contaminated
drinking water. Model capability ranges from simple
operations typical of small, rural water supply systems
to large-scale municipal systems.
Exposure and EcoRisk Assessments
In addition to providing technical assistance and support
to other modelers, the CEAM conducts a limited number
of exposure and EcoRisk assessments as
demonstrations of the applied state-of-the-art.
Currently, two such projects are underway. The first is
assessing the ecological impacts of alternative
operational or design strategies for regulation of existing
and new Confined Disposal Facilities. Beginning in the
early 1970's, a major program developed for disposing
of dredged materials within confined disposal facilities
(CDFs). Although CDFs were designed to contain
polluted sediment, their dikes are generally porous and
allow leakage. The resulting mass transfer of
contaminants and . exposure concentrations may be of
environmental significance. Methods and protocols are
required in order to evaluate exposure pathways within
the diked area, to determine the mass transfer to the
contiguous water bodies and resulting exposure
concentrations, and to evaluate their associated
environmental risk. The cooperators in the project
include the ERL-Athens, the ERL-Duluth Large Lakes
Research Station (LLRS), and Region V with advisory
involvement by the Hazardous Waste Engineering
Laboratory and ERL-Ada.
The second demonstration project is assessing the
ecological impacts due to alternative remediation
actions on the Anaconda and Clark Fork Superfund
sites. Many river trout are killed by toxic metals
exposures during floods and high water flows. The
responsible metals are believed to include copper,
cadmium, arsenic, and zinc. The sources of the metal
contaminants are mine tailings, industrial discharges,
treatment ponds, and contaminated soils. This EcoRisk
assessment is an inter-laboratory cooperative effort
between the Athens ERL and the Duluth ERL. The
exposure analysis will be performed by the Athens ERL,
and toxicity assessment will be the responsibility of the
Duluth ERL.
Contact: Robert Ambrose (FTS 250-3130)
II. Headquarters (Continued from page 1)
NEWS FROM THE RISK ASSESSMENT FORUM
By Linda C. Tuxen (FTS 475-6743)
SCHEDULE FOR RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES
IMPLEMENTATION - The Risk Assessment Guidelines
Implementation Program offers in-depth training on the
EPA risk assessment guidelines for scientists and
managers in risk assessing offices. Courses on the
Guidelines for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, chemical
mixtures, suspect developmental toxicants, and
estimating exposures are being presented during the
next three months according to the schedule presented
on p. 7. The fall-winter schedule will be announced in
future issues of the Review.
The guidelines implementation program was developed
to familiarize Agency personnel with the content and
use of the guidelines. Several modular courses are
available for each office to design a training program
that meets its specific needs.
Senior Office of Health and Environmental Assessment
and Office of Toxic Substances scientists who wrote the
Guidelines will co-facilitate with scientists from
Regional, Laboratory, and Headquarters offices who
have recently completed a training program on the use
of the Guidelines and facilitator techniques. The
"resident" facilitators will serve as the liaison between
their offices, Headquarters, and the public on
Guideline-related issues.
EXPOSURE PROJECTS FROM THE RISK
ASSESSMENT FORUM - The Risk Assessment Forum
has begun preliminary work on three exposure
assessment projects outlined below.
(1)	Defining Exposure Scenarios - EPA exposure
assessments use a number of common factors such as
body weight, lifetime, food ingestion rate, inhalation rate,
and time spent doing various activities. The
assumptions for these factors are combined to create a
scenario, commonly characterized as either "typical" or
"reasonable worst case." Often, different EPA offices
have assumed different combinations of values for the
same scenario. Although different values/scenarios are
often appropriate, it is generally desirable to use a
consistent approach across the Agency for defining
scenarios.
The purpose of this project is to promote such
consistency by developing procedures for choosing the
best values for these factors to create "typical" and
"reasonable worst case" scenarios. Although
precedents exist for several of these factors, the Forum
Technical Panel will attempt to agree on objective
methods for analysis of the data.
(2)	Model Validation for Predictive Exposure
Assessments - Predictive exposure assessments based
on mathematical modeling are used in research, policy
analysis, regulatory development and implementation,
site exposure assessments, and engineering design and
permitting. Because of the widespread use of
mathematical modeling in these areas, questions about
model validation are almost always raised by Agency
management, the regulated community, and the public.
Answers are varied, usually incomplete, and can be
inconsistent across offices and across the problems to
which models are applied. Also, models are increasingly
being used in litigation and enforcement, and validation
of models under review can become pivotal in decision
records.
6

-------
PLACE
DATE
GUIDELINES
COURSE(S)
RESIDENT
FACILITATOR(S)
Headquarters
Thursday, April 28
Carcinogenicity Workshop
Herman Gibb
8-382-5720
David Reese
8-382-7342
Denver Region VIII
Tuesday, May 3
Chemical Mixtures Workshop
Jim Baker
8-564-1524

Thursday, May 12
Developmental Toxicity Workshop
contact: Jean Parker
8-776-5073
RTP, NC
ECAO (ORD) and
OAQPS (OAR)
Beginning week of
May 30 and ending
week of June 27 -
one guideline/week
Carcinogenicity Workshop
Developmental Toxicity Workshop
Mutagenicity Workshop
Chemical Mixtures Workshop
Exposure Workshop
Fred Hauchman
8-629-5339
Beth Hassett
8-629-5346
Mike Davis
8-629-4162
Mike Berry
8-629-4172
Cincinnati ECAO
(ORD)
Tuesday, May 10
Tuesday, May 17
Chemical Mixtures
Workshop Managers' Seminar
Rita Schoney
8-684-7814
Atlanta Region IV
Wednesday, June 22
Thursday, June 23
Exposure Workshop
Chemical Mixtures Workshop
Elmer Akin
8-257-2234
Ralph Jennings
8-257-2643
This project will study EPA's peer review and validation
procedures to develop an Agency position and to
identify and propose appropriate guidelines in this area.
(3) Uncertainty Analysis in Exposure Assessment -
During the past ten years, the use of quantitative risk
assessments has increased dramatically. This, in turn,
has impacted the need for more quantitative exposure
assessments. Unfortunately, the generation of quanti-
tative data designed for use in these assessments has
not increased correspondingly.
To compensate for the lack of available data,
quantitative estimates frequently are based on
professional judgment, personal experience,
extrapolation of data from analogous chemicals or
situations, and the like. The result is that the exposure
numbers in an exposure assessment usually are based
on a mix of qualitatively and quantitatively derived
parameters that are inconsistent Agency-wide. The
main objective of this project is to develop Agency-
wide guidance on analyzing and expressing uncertainty
as a function of what is known about the quality of the
input parameters.
The Forum believes that each of these three projects
will result in useable Agency-wide guidance that can
help resolve some of the important, outstanding issues
in exposure risk assessments.
RISK ASSESSMENT FORUM COLLOQUIA - The Risk
Assessment Forum has scheduled several colloquia on
risk assessment issues of Agency-wide interest. These
discussions are undertaken to encourage scientific
exchange on these issues and identify issues for later
in-depth study by the Forum or some other Agency
group. Recent colloquia are described below, along with
information about future events.
(1)	Quantitative Low-Dose Extrapolation Methods
Colloquium - Quantitative low-dose extrapolation
methods for health effects other than cancer were
discussed at an all-day Forum-sponsored colloquium
on February 26. Agency scientists from OAQPS, OPPE,
and ORD presented work in progress on several
different risk assessment methods and models to
scientists from several EPA offices. Participants agreed
that future meetings could be useful. The chair. Dr.
Renate Kimbrough, will work with Forum staff to develop
recommendations regarding future Forum activities in
this area.
(2)	Soil Exposure Colloquium - On March 23, the
Forum sponsored an all-day colloquium on soil
exposure with representation from many EPA Head-
quarters and regional offices, and several outside
participants. Participants focused on current EPA
exposure assumptions and preliminary results of two
studies (University of Massachusetts and EPA) on soil
ingestion by children. Discussion also centered around
refinement of present assumptions, issue development,
and identification of research needs.
The group recommended that the Forum convene a
panel to examine the available data in detail, perhaps in
Fall 1988, when analyses of the University of
Massachusetts and EPA studies are likely to be
completed.
7

-------
(3) Future Colloquium - On May 19, The Risk
Assessment Forum is sponsoring an all-day col-
loquium on the effects of other than lifetime exposure.
The colloquium is scheduled from 9.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m.
in EPA North Conference Room I.
OftO'S ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT
RESEARCH PROGRAM
By Harvey W. Holm (FTS 250-3103)
ORD's Office of Environmental Processes and Effects
Research (OEPER) held the third annual All
Investigators' Meeting of the Ecological Risk
Assessment Research Program on January 25-29.
1988. The objective of this research program is to
provide a scientifically based system to assess
ecological risks from exposure to environ- mental
toxicants. Emphasis is on development of tools that will
provide analysts with mechanisms for predicting
ecological consequences of chemical exposure in
previously unexposed environments (see the August
1987 issue of Risk Assessment Review for an expanded
description of the program).
More than 70 scientists and managers attended the
meeting to discuss research supported by the
Environmental Research Laboratories in Athens GA,
Corvallis OR, Duluth MN, and Gulf Breeze FL. Research
progress was reported by EPA and extramural
scientists; discussion groups addressed research
questions of general interest. A panel discussion
focused on the merits and liabilities of using different
modeling approaches for ecological risk assessments.
Models, databases, and other products of research
efforts were demonstrated.
One model that is a product of this research program is
FGETS (Food and Gil Exchange of Toxic Substances),
FGETS predicts the temporal dynamics of a fish's whole
body concentrations of a nonmetabolized organic
chemical. The chemical is bioaccumulated from water
only, which may be the predominant route of exchange
during acute exposures, or from water and food jointly,
which is more characteristic of chronic exposures.
FGETS also will calculate time to death, assuming that
the chemical's model of action is simple narcosis.
Application of the model requires information about the
chemical (molecular weight, molar volume, melting point
and log Kow), information about the fish to be analyzed
(the user selects the fish of concern-scientific name,
family, and life form-and the model extracts necessary
morphometric and physiological data from an
accompanying database), and an exposure scenario
(concentration of chemical in the water and the fish's
prey).
FGETS is distributed by ORD's Center for Exposure
Assessment Modeling (CEAM). To obtain a copy of the
model with documentation (EPA/600/3-87/038) send
one 360 KB (DS/DO) diskette with your request to
CEAM, USEPA, College Station Road, Athens, GA
30613.
Additional products of this research program will be
described in upcoming issues of the Risk Assessment
Review.
MEETING OF RISK ASSESSMENT COUNCIL'S
ECOTOXICITY SUBCOMMITTEE
By Dexter Hinckley (FTS 382-2781)
The Ecotoxicity Subcommittee of the Risk Assessment
Council (RAC) held an all-day meeting on March 29,
1988 in Rossyln, VA. The Subcommittee, chaired by
Michael Slimak of the Office of Research and
Development/Office of Environmental Processes and
Effects Research, was created by the Risk Assessment
Council on December 1, 1987 to prepare a report on
ecological risk assessment procedures currently used
by EPA. Representatives from the Office of Pesticides
and Toxic Substances (OPTS), the Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER), the Office
of Water, the Office of Research and Development
(ORD), the Office of Policy. Planning and Evaluation
(OPPE), Region II (Harvey Simon), and Region X
(Patricia Storm) participated, and there were observers
from the Office of Federal Activities and the Science
Advisory Board. The program offices and the regions
presented case studies exemplifying their typical
selection of ecological endpoints and their assessment
of ecological risks or effects. The case studies included
site-specific, regional and national assessments;
endpoints included individual, population, and
community changes. The quotient (or ratio) method was
commonly used to compare estimated or measured
concentrations with chemical doses known to kill 50% of
a test population. Richard Moraski described the Office
of Research ard Development's Office of Health and
Environmental Assessment's continuing effort to draft
ecological risk assessment guidelines and to prepare
supporting technical documents. Dexter Hinckley
presented OPPE's interests in using the results of
ecological risk assessments for ranking environmental
problems and estimating economic losses. The
Subcommittee plans to have a working synthesis
document by July 23rd, a first draft of its report by
September 2, and to submit a final draft to the Risk
Assessment Council on October 14.
OFFICE OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT'S REDUCING UNCERTAINTIES
IN RISK ASSESSMENT (RURA) ANNUM.
REPORT
By Maty Holland (FTS 475-8081)
Ttie Office of Health and Environmental Assessment
(OHEA) has released its first Annual Report on the
OHEA Reducing Uncertainties in Risk Assessment
(RURA) Program. This Annual Report provides the
background on the establishment of the program,
progress to date, and goals for FY'89.
The RURA program, which was established in FY'86,
with the first year of implementation being FY'87, is
designed to reduce the uncertainties associated with
risk assessment by conducting or sponsoring efforts
intended to develop and/or improve approaches and
methods in this area.
8

-------
In FY'87, twelve projects were funded which addressed
a number of issues related to exposure assessment and
the improvement of quantitative risk assessment in the
areas of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive
and developmental toxicology. Progress reports on
these projects are included in the Annual Report.
In FY'88, four specific areas were targeted for research:
1) Development of Models to Characterize the Overall
Uncertainties in Risk Assessment; 2) Development of
Biologically-Based Dose-Response Models; 3)
Development of Methods to Estimate Exposure and
Dose; and 4) Development of Approaches to Link
Exposure, Dose and Outcome. Twenty-two projects
are now underway; brief descriptions of these projects
are included in the Annual Report.
For more information or copies of the Annual Report,
contact Mary Holland (FTS 475-8081) or Hal Zenick
(FTS 475-8913).
III. Around The Regions
REGION II
SITE-SPECIFIC RISK ASSESSMENT DATABASE
PILOT PROJECT
Region II is initiating a six-month pilot project to test
the usefulness of a Site-Specific Risk Assessment
Database (SSRADB). The pilot is being conducted
under the auspices of the Risk Assessment Council to
test the level of interest in such a system. The pilot will
be tested on the Electronic Mail Bulletin Board system.
At the end of the six months, the system will be
evaluated to determine how it is being used, whether it
is a useful source of information, and whether more
sophisticated search capabilities such as those available
on TRADE POST or E-Pub are required. Your
comments during the pilot period are welcome.
The basic concept of the SSRADB, originally developed
by Region IV, is to have a centralized computer storage
system for 1 to 2 page abstracts on site-specitic risk
assessments. By accessing the system, staff will be
able to locate risk assessments that involve the same
chemical contaminants, similar exposure routes or
similar facilities or contaminated areas. The system will
allow a designated coordinator to enter abstracts into
the system and allow risk assessors to review abstracts
stored on the system. The E-Mail Bulletin Board was
selected to meet these needs since it provides a user
friendly system that is easily accessible and available to
all EPA staff.
Each region has been invited to participate in the pilot
project by selecting a staff contact responsible for
identifying risk assessments for inclusion in SSRADB.
The next Review will provide a list of the contacts and
information on accessing the system.
Contact: Marian Olsen (FTS 264-5682)
REGION VII
ELECTRONIC RISK ASSESSMENT TRAINING
Region VII produced two instructional network-quality
videotapes as a major element in its two-day risk
assessment training courses.
One videotape is a presentation by Dr. Curtis Klaassen,
a noted toxicologist at the University of Kansas Medical
Center. In two hours, he outlines the basic principles
and practices of toxicology.
The second videotape features Dr. Donald Barnes,
Director, Science Advisory Board. Dr. Barnes "builds"
on the Klaassen presentation, and describes how EPA
utilizes the toxicological data to develop the Agency's
positions on risk.
Together, the three and one-half hours of videotapes
enable the Regional Office to provide inexpensive,
flexible, and consistent instruction to Regional and state
staffs, and others attending the risk training courses. For
information on the videotapes, contact Bob Fenemore
(FTS 757-2970).
VOCS IN DRINKING WATER MEETING
On April 22, Suzanne Wuerthele, Region VIII
toxicologist, met with Region Vll's Risk Information
Coordination (RIC) group to discuss the exposure to
VOCs in drinking water through inhalation or dermal
contact. Suzanne was recently involved in a similar
presentation to the Risk Assessment Forum. VOC
exposure routes have been an issue in several regional
actions.
Contact: Robert Fenemore (FTS 757-2970)
IV. Announcements
NEXT MEETING OF REGIONAL RISK
ASSESSORS
As indicated in the last issue of the Risk Assessment
Review, Region III is sponsoring the next Regional Risk
Assessment Conference. The conference will be held
from the morning of June 27 to mid-day June 29 in
Philadelphia. The conference will be held at the
Sheraton Society Hill Hotel at 1 Dock Street in
Philadelphia. To date, 51 rooms have been reserved
and additional rooms are available by calling (215)
238-6000.
The tentative agenda includes:
New Directions in Headquarters' Exposure Assessments
to be chaired by James Baker of Region VIII
Regional Human Health Risk Assessment Case Studies
to be chaired by J. Milton Clark of Region V
Organizational Issues to be chaired by William
Muszynski of Region II
New Directions in Headquarters' Dose-Response
Assessments to be chaired by Bruce Molholt of Region
III
Ecological Risk Assessment and Comparative Risk
Studies to be chaired by Patricia Storm of Region X.
9

-------
More details on the conference will be available soon.
Contact: Roy L. Smith (FTS 597-9857)
CALL FOR PAPERS ON ENVIRONMENTAL RISK
ASSESSMENT
By May 16, 1988, abstracts of papers proposed for
presentation at the Annual SETAC (Society of
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) meeting must
be submitted. The SETAC meeting will be held
November 13-17, 1988 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel,
Crystal City. Dexter Hinckley will be chairing the
session on Risk Assessment and is seeking abstracts
from Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation analysts
and other EPA staff. The papers should relate to the
environmental aspects of risk assessment, although
they can focus on estimation of either ecological or
human health effects. Their scope can be narrow
(specific to a chemical or a site) or broad (widely
applicable scoring or modeling approaches). For further
information and abstract submission forms, contact
Dexter Hinckley (FTS 382-2781).
SIXTH ANNUAL SUMMER INSTITUTE IN RISK
MANAGEMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
AND PROTECTION (INCLUDING
QUANTITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT)
The New York University Graduate School of Public
Administration will be sponsoring the Sixth Annual
Institute in Risk Management in Environmental Health
and Protection (including Quantitative Risk Assessment)
from June 27 to 30, 1988. The course will be offered at
New York University's Graduate School of Public
Administration, 4 Washington Square North, New York,
NY 10003.
The objectives of the course are to provide health,
safety and environmental professionals with the
technical and managerial skills to assess, review and
manage risks from toxic and hazardous substances in
the workplace and the community. The course provides
skills to identify and evaluate risks to human health,
interact and communicate with regulators, specialists,
theoreticians, and the general public on risk issues,
integrate technical information into decision-making,
and develop solutions to risk problems.
In addition, the course addresses current issues, such
as determining risk levels from chemical exposure,
communicating potential health risks to workers and the
community from sudden industrial releases of
chemicals, and measuring risks from hazardous waste
generation and potential responsibility for these risks
under Superfund.
Contact: Dr. Rae Zimmerman
Associate Professor of New York University
Graduate School of Public Administration
(212) 998-7432, or
Ramon G. Burke,
Administrative Aide Graduate School of Public
Administration New York University
(212) 998-7430
SCHEDULE FOR RISK AND DECISION-
MAKING COURSES
The following is the schedule for the Risk and De-
cision-Making Courses through July:
Region III	May 4 - 5
Region V	May 4 - 5
Region III
Region V
Headquarters
Headquarters
Headquarters
Region III
Region V
May 4 -
May 4 -
June 8 -
June 14
June 15
June 22
June 29
July 6 -
July 13
-	15
-	16
-	23
-	30
- 14
Contact: Pam Stirling, FTS 382-2747
Contacts:
Jerome Puskin,
Linda Tuxen,
Dick Hill,
Don Barnes,
Dean Hill,
Marian Olsen,
Roy Smith,
Dave Dolan,
Jill Lyons,
Bob Fenemore,
Arnold Den,
If you would like to receive additional copies of this and
subsequent Reviews or to be added to the mailing list,
contact:
CERI Distribution
26 W. Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
OAR-Rad.,
FTS
475-9640
ORD-RAF,
FTS
475-6743
OPTS,
FTS
382-2897
SAB,
FTS
382-4126
NEIC,
FTS
776-8138
Region II,
FTS
264-5682
Region III,
FTS
597-9857
Region V,
FTS
886-6195
Region VI,
FTS
255-7208
Region VII,
FTS
757-2970
Region IX,
FTS
454-0906
Need Help?
If your office needs help in finding information or
assistance on a specific risk assessment problem,
you can announce that need on the Risk
Assessment!Risk Management Bulletin Board now
available on E-Mail. Your colleagues from other
offices who have information or advice will be able
to contact you with assistance. For assistance in
posting announcements or reading entries on the
Bulletin Board, contact Electronic Mail User's
Support at FTS 382-5639. Your colleagues from
other offices who have information or advice will be
able to contact you with assistance.	
10

-------