UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II. New York, New York 10278
DATE:
SUBJECT:
FROM:
May 17, 1990
Risk Assessment Review
William J. Mdszynskyf P.E.
Deputy Regional Administrator
William Farland, Ph.D. / / si}
Director	(//
Office of Health and Environmental Assessment
Attached is	a copy of the Risk Assessment Review, a bimonthly
publication	that is a cooperative effort between the Office
of Research	and Development and the Regional Risk Assessment
Network.
The Review serves as a focal point for information exchange
among the EPA risk assessment community on both technical and
policy issues related to' risk assessment. It is currently in
its fourth 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 further issues, contact
one of the committee members listed on page 1 of the Review.
Attachment

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April 1990
Highlights
•	News from the Risk Assessment Forum ... p. 1
•	Fifth Regional Risk Assessment Meeting p. 1
•	Superfund Health Risk Technical Support
Center 	 p. 4
•	Water Research Committee and Lead
Region Partnership: Report from the
ORD Regional Scientist in Region V ... p. 4
•	IRIS User Support - A Resource
for the Agency 	 p. 5
Risk Assessment Review Committee
Bill Farland - ORD, FTS 382-7317
Sally Edwards - Region I, FTS 835-3696
Maria Pavlova - Region II, FTS 264-7364
Marian Olsen - Region II, FTS 264-5682
Suzanne Wuerthele - Region VIII, FTS 330-1714
Dana Davoli - Region X, FTS 399-2135
Fifth Regional Risk Assessment Meeting - June
18 - 21, 1990
I. Special Features
News From the Risk Assessment Forum
by Bette L Cantor (FTS 475-6743)
Ecological Risk Information-Gathering Meetings
The Risk Assessment Forum is sponsoring a series of
information-gathering meetings on ecological risk
assessment issues. These meetings are among several
activities the ecological risk work groups are undertaking
in support of the Agency's first set of ecological risk
assessment guidelines.
The forum meetings aim to assist the guidelines effort
by:
(1)	providing an opportunity for discussion and
consensus-building among agency scientists on
certain controversial issues; and
(2)	investigating ecological risk assessment methods
outside the Agency which might be useful to include
in the guidelines.
The overall theme of the meetings is how to apply or
modify the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
paradigm for health risk assessments in order to use its
principles in ecological risk assessments. Because eco-
logical assessments differ in many ways from health
assessments, there are a number of issues to discuss.
These include very fundamental questions such as: what
is an ecological risk assessment? How is it different from
a hazard assessment and an impact assessment? At
what level of biological organization can we perform risk
assessments? The discussions will also address some
more specific questions about using population, commu-
nity, and ecosystem level models to characterize risk.
At this writing, two meetings have taken place, and five
more are planned. The first one was held on March 26th.
It set the theme for all the meetings by examining the
applicability of the NAS risk assessment paradigm to
ecological assessments. While the participants at the
meeting generally agreed that the framework of the NAS
paradigm could be applied to ecological assessments,
they also felt that a redefinition of terms within the
framework might be required.	(see Risk p.2)
by Milt Clark (FTS 886-3388)
As indicated in the last issue of the Risk Assessment
Review, Region V will host the Fifth Regional Risk
Assessment Conference. The conference will take place
from Monday, June 18, to Thursday, June 21, at the
Chicago Hyatt-Regency Hotel, 151 East Wacker Drive,
Chicago, Illinois (312) 565-1234. The theme for the
conference is "Risk Assessment and Risk Management
Issues for the 1990s."
The tentative agenda and session chairs for the
conference are listed below.
Monday, June 18 - Morning
Session I - National Global Risk Assessment
ISSUGS
Chair - Or. J. Milton Clark (Region V)
Registration
Welcome
Mr. Valdas Adamkus
Regional Administrator, Region V
Keynote Address: Risk Assessment
Mr. Alvin Aim
Director, Energy and Environment Science
Applications Inter-Corp
Effects of Acid Deposition on Aquatic Ecosystems
Dr. John Malanchuk
Deputy Director
National Acid Precipitation Program
The Effects of Acid Deposition and Ozone on Forests
Dr. Jerry Hertel
National Program Manager
Forest Response Program
U. S. Forest Service
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion and the Changes in
Ultraviolet Radiation to the Earth
Dr John.Frederick
Professor of Atmospheric Science
University of Chicago
Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change
Dr. Peter Biedlow
Manager, Global Climate Research Program
U. S. EPA, Environmental Research Lab
Corvallis, Oregon
Panel Discussion: Global Environmental Priorities
Drs. Malanchuk, Hertel, Frederick, and Biedlow
(see Meeting p.2)
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Risk (continued from p.1)
The second meeting was held on April 9th with
representatives from a number of state agencies.
Although this meeting was not designed to reach
specific conclusions, there was a valuable exchange of
views among participants. Specifically, the state
representatives described the methods they use in risk
assessments and what they would like to see in the
scope and content of a guideline.
Additional meetings are scheduled for the following
dates:
April 30 Uncertainty Issues in Ecological Hazard
Assessment
May 7 Science Advisory Board Consultation
May 14 Information Exchange with Federal Agency
Representatives
May 21 Exposure Assessment issues
July 9 Population/Community Level Models for
Risk Characterization
A summary of all the meetings will be available in the
Federal Register in the fall of 1990.
Toxicity Equivalency Factors for Dioxins
In the last issue of the Risk Assessment Review we
reported on a recently-released document entitled,
"Interim Procedures for Estimating Risks Associated
with Exposures to Mixtures of Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-
dioxins and -Dibenzofurans (CDDs and CDFs)" (Risk
Assessment Review, February 1990, p. 3). This
document outlined the toxicity equivalency factor (TEF)
method and recommended that EPA use this method,
on an interim basis, in risk assessments involving
mixtures of CDDs and CDFs.
In a recent memo to the Assistant and Regional
Administrators, Henry Habicht, Deputy Administrator and
Risk Assessment Council Chair, stated that the Council
recommends uniform EPA use of the interim TEF values
in this forum report. Of course, users must recognize
that the TEF values are based on incomplete data.
Nonetheless, "... uniform Agency policy and practices
for assessing CDDs/CDFs outweigh any individual
preference for a marginally different value in a particular
EPA office."
He also states, "The council recognizes that new data or
special circumstances may justify exceptions or new
revisions to the l-TEFs/89. Any Assistant or Regional
Administrator may apply for exemption from this
agency-wide requirement through a memorandum to the
Chairman of the Risk Assessment Council explaining
(1)	the proposed change in an l-TEF/89 value for any
congener,
(2)	the scientific data or rationale underlying the
request, and
(3)	any related program management considerations.''
Meeting (continued from p.1)
Monday, June 18,1990 - Afternoon
Session 2 - Ecological Risk Assessment
Chair - Harvey Simon, Region II
Ecological Risk Assessment
Dr. Mark Harwell
Professor of Ecology, Cornell University
Threats to Biological Diversity
Dr. Sally Valdas-Cogliano
Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation
Atmospheric Deposition of Toxics to the Great Lakes
Dr. Steve Eisenrich, University of Minnesota
Use of Ecological Assessment in Wetlands Protection
Mr. Douglas Ehorn, Region V
Ecological Assessment and Remediation of the
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Mr. Brian Ross, Region X
Tuesday, June 19,1990 - Morning
Session 3 - Ecological Risk Assessment
Chair - Dr. Pat Cirone, Region X
Risk Assessment Forum Group Presentation
on Ecological Risk Assessment Guidelines
Dr. Dorothy Patton, Executive Director,
Risk Assessment Forum
Dr. Bill Wood, Risk Assessment Forum
Mr. Mike Slimak, Office of Environmental Processes
and Effects Research,
Office of Research and Development
Status of Sediment Criteria Impact Assessment
Mr. Ed Long
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
Sediments
To be arranged
Design of an Ecological Assessment Program for
a Region II Superfund Site
Ms. Darvene Adams, Region II
Ecological Assessment at a Region III Superfund Site
Mr. Ron Preston, Region III
Ecological Assessment at a Region IV Superfund Site
Mr. Bernie Hayes, Region IV
Tuesday, June 19,1990 - Afternoon
Session 4 - Human Health Risk Assessment
Chair - Or. Roy Smith, Region III
Less-than-Lifetime Cancer Risk Approaches
Dr. Fred Hauckman, EPA, RTP
Carcinogenic Potency of Vinyl Chloride
Following Exposures
Dr. James Cogliano
EPA, Office of Health and Environmental
Assessment
Inhalation RfDs: Dosimetric Adjustments in a
Risk Assessment Methodology
Dr. Ann Jarabek, EPA, ECAO
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Current and New Risk Forum Projects
Dr. Suzanne Wuerthele, Region VIII
Monitoring Well Samples: Filtered or Unfiltered?
Dawn loven, EPA Region III
Chemical/Specific Issues
1.	Pesticides
a.	Results of the Non-occupational
Pesticide Exposure Survey
Dr. John Schaum
EPA, Office of Health and Environmental
Assessment
b.	Exposure to Aldicarb from Potatoes
Mr. Paul White
EPA, Office of Health and
Environmental Assessment
2.	Chronic Health Risks from Ozone Exposure
Dr. Harvey Richmond
EPA, Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards
Wednesday, June 20,1990 - Morning
Session 5 - Superfund Issues
Chair - Or. Elmer Akin, Region IV
Chemical-Specific Issues
Soil Lead vs. Blood Lead in Children: Baltimore Study
Results vs. Model
Dr. Dick Brunker, Region III
Statistical Issues for Risk Assessment: a Case Study
Dr. G. P. Patil, Penn State University
User of Monte Carlo Simulation for Risk Assessment: a
Case Study
Dr. Roy Smith, Region III
The Air Pathway
1.	Air Criteria to Trigger Relocation During
Remediation
Dr. John Rauscher, Region VI
2.	Modeling Air Exposure with Soil-Air Partitioning
Mr. Mark Hanson, Region VI
3.	Measurements to Support Pathway Analysis
Mr. Tom Pritchett
EPA/ERT, Edison, N.J.
Status Report on Standardizing Exposure Factors
Mr. Gerry Hiatt, Region IX
Open Discussion on Superfund
Wednesday, June 20,1990 - Afternoon
Session 6 - Comparative Risk/Strategic
Planning
Chair - Sally Edwards, Region I
Strategic Planning at Headquarters
Ms. Catherine Tunis
Regional and State Planning Branch
Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation
Region I Strategic Planning Using Comparative Risk
Ms. Sally Edwards, Region I
Region III Strategic Planning Using Comparative Risk
Mr. Jeffrey Burke, Region III
Region X Strategic Planning
Mr. Steve Nicholas, Region X
Update on Regional Comparative Risk Projects and
Roundtable Discussion
Regional Comparative Risk Project Managers
Session 7 - Geographic Information
Systems/Toxic Release Inventory
Chair - Jeffrey Burke, Region III
GIS Analysis and TRI Data
Mr. Gerald Carney, Region VI
TRI/GIS and Cross-Media Enforcement
Ms. Susan McDowell, Region III
GIS and Ecological Risk Assessment
Dr. John Schneider, Region V
GIs and Risk Assessment
Mr. Tim Amsderi, Region VII
Thursday, June 21,1990 - Morning
Session 8 - Risk Assessment Administrative
Issues
Chair - William J. Muszynski
Deputy Regional Administrator, Region II
Introduction to the Session
Mr. William J. Muszynski
International Risk Communication
Ms. Sally Edwards, Region I
Headquarters Detail to the Office of Health and
Environmental Assessment
Dr. Suzanne Wuerthele, Region VIII
Integrated Risk Information System - Update
Dr. Jacqueline Patterson
EPA, ECAO, Cincinnati
Comparison of Risk Assessment Across EPA Program
Offices
Ms. Rebecca Madison
Office of Technology Transfer and
Regulatory Support
Technical Versus Management Career Paths
Mr. Mike Callahan
EPA, Exposure Assessment Group
General Announcements - Open Audience
Closing Ceremonies - Passing the Baton
Rooms at the hotel for conference participants are
$75.00; below the Agency's room charge ceiling of
$89.00. To make reservations, please contact the hotel
at (312) 565-1234 and indicate that you are attending the
EPA Regional Risk Assessment Conference. Please also
call Marie Massey in Region V at FTS 886-2592 to
reserve a place at the conference.
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II. Headquarters
Superfund Health Risk Technical Support
Center
by Terry O'Bryan (FTS 475-9494)
On March 9, 1990, the Office of Health and
Environmental Assessment and the Office of Emergency
and Remedial Response (Superfund) signed an
agreement establishing the Health Risk Technical
Support Center (TSC) to promote consistency and
quality assurance in health risk assessments at
Superfund sites. This is the sixth in a series of TSCs
sponsored by the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response. The Center is coordinated by the
Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office (ECAO)-
Cincinnati, with participation by the Exposure
Assessment Group, the Human Health Assessment
Group and ECAO-RTP. There is also a monthly
teleconference to discuss risk assessment issues on the
first Wednesday of each month at 2-3 EDT. Please feel
free to participate. For further information, contact Terry
O'Bryan/OERR Toxics Integration Branch at FTS 475-
9494.
Water Research Committee and Lead Region
Partnership: Report from the ORD Regional
Scientist in Region V
by Lou Blume (FTS 886-2910)
This is the sixth in a sequence of articles on the
activities of the Regional Scientist Program out of the
Regional Operations Staff, Office of Research and
Development (ORD). A true partnership is beginning to
coalesce within the Water Research Committee between
ORD, Office of Water (OW), and the regions.
The partnership has developed through the lead region
process and will result in a fully integrated FY92 water
research program. This article will briefly describe the
details of how this partnership has developed from a
regional perspective.
As the Lead Region for Water, Region V initiated a
concerted effort to identify Regional Water Research
needs with the hopes of playing a significant role in the
planning of the FY92 Water Research Program.
We began the process in October of 1989 by soliciting
from each region a list of their major water research
needs. From this solicitation we developed a series of
major research themes that represented input from all
10 regions. The following seven themes are presented in
order of priority informally ranked by follow-up to each
region. In this ranking process we considered the
funding levels for each of the themes in the FY89-91
period.
1. Sludge and Wastewater Treatment Research
for Small Communities
The major concerns are low-cost technologies, removal
of toxics, and sludge land applications.
2.	Agricultural Chemicals
In responding to the Presidents "Water Quality
Initiative," the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the EPA together
will address the vast arena of groundwater and drinking
water contamination through agricultural chemicals
research. (Note: both the USGS and USDA have funded
these programs heavily in FY90-91). The key regional
concern noted is nitrate contamination. Research is
needed on identification, control and treatment of nitrate
contaminated waters. The regions strongly support the
proposed ORD "Master Initiative," which is the joint
Agency proposal for agricultural chemical research.
3.	Modeling of Toxics Fate and Transport
Mass balance multi-media models for large water bodies
inclusive of near coastal, marine and estuarine areas,
and the Great Lakes are desperately needed. These
models are needed to make informed management
decisions on these sensitive areas.
Note: Initiatives 1-3 were ranked ahead of 4-7 because
funding levels in the current year were relatively minor.
Although sediments, wetlands, and methods may be just
as important, funding sources were identified in FY89-
91.
4.	Analytical Methods
The major concerns are bioassay and biological
methods (health effects, fish tissue methods, etc.).
5.	Wetlands
Research supporting criteria development for
constructed wetlands, and the use of wetlands for
wastewater, and stormwater treatment is necessary.
6.	Sediments
Clean sediment criteria, bioassay methods, and research
supporting sediment enforcement issues (i.e.,
remediation technologies) is needed.
7.	Lead in Drinking Water
Research is needed to help support regional
implementation of the proposed lead and copper
drinking regulations, (i.e. corrosion control optimization
techniques and surrogate sampling methods).
Of the seven major research themes originally proposed
by the regions, six are currently being finalized for
recommendation to the Assistant Administrator for ORD;
all are jointly supported by OW, ORD, and the regions.
The status of these initiatives in order of regional
importance is:
1. The sludge initiative was combined with the "SCOT"
(Small Community Outreach Technologies) initiative to
form the "Sludge Management and Small Community
Outreach for Wastewater and Drinking Water."
In addition ORD's Center for Environmental Research
Information (CERI) has agreed to fund a similar project
in FY90 that would assist small communities in
achieving compliance in wastewater and water treatment
plants.
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2.	The groundwater nitrate contamination concern of the
regions will be addressed in the "MASTER Midwest
'Agricultural Subsurface/Surface Transport Effects Re-
search Initiative." Furthermore, the groundwater sub-
committee chaired by Clint Hall of ORD and Ron Hoffer
of Office of Ground Water Protection has graciously
agreed to fund a part of this in FY91.
3.	The toxics modeling initiative has been combined with
an Estuarine Eutrophication initiative to form what is
presently called the "Pollutant Transport and Fate in
Large Water Bodies."
4.	The analytical methods initiative is presently termed
"Analytical Techniques for Contaminants in Water,
Wastewater, Sludge, Sediment, and Tissue."
Furthermore, there will be a major regionally oriented
analytical methods initiative research program that will
get started in FY91 (1.000K).
5.	The wetlands initiative is presently titled "Wetlands
Research to Maintain and Expand the Quality of the
Wetlands Resource." A note of interest is that the
regions have funded one Wetlands Full-Time Equivalent
at ERL-Corvallis laboratory to serve as a regional
research coordinator. This coordinator has been very
successful in organizing regional/ORD communications.
6.	The sediments initiative is currently titled
"Contaminated Sediments" and will emphasize assess-
ment methods for effects and exposure situations.
7.	The lead in drinking water initiative was dropped from
further consideration because the timing of FY92
research may be late considering promulgation of new
^regulations. although there will be FY90 and FY91 funds
'allocated to meet these needs through the multi-media
research committee. The drinking water subcommittee
ORD co-chair (Bob Clark) has been instrumental in
tailoring this research to meet regional concerns.
In summary, of the seven major research themes
identified by the regions for consideration by the Water
Research Committee for FY92, six initiatives have been
approved and will gain final recommendation. Four of
these initiatives will gain new funding for research in
FY90 and FY91.
The success we have had in getting regional water
research needs included in ORD's FY92 budget
proposal is in large part due to the commitment shown
by ORD and OW in lending a "regional co-chair" type of
influence to the research committee, and to the regions
for spending the time and effort necessary to identify,
characterize, and effectively articulate regional needs
during the planning process. Hopefully, the success of
the Water Research Committee in providing active
regional participation in the research planning process,
will serve as an example for regional participation in all
of the research committees.
We must now support ORD's water research budget
proposals when they are presented to Office of
Management and Budget and to Congress. Where
resources are awarded to ORD by Congress to do
research which the regions have supported, the regional
representatives will have an opportunity to help direct
.the development of technology transfer products
¦generated from this research data. Ultimately this
rprocess should provide for research that is more
relevant to the enforcement needs of the Agency, and
significantly enhance regional risk assessment and
mitigation activities by providing specific products and
tools which meet regional needs.
IRIS User Support - A Resource for the Agency!
by Patricia A Daunt (FTS 684-7596)
Support for users of the Integrated Risk Information
System (IRIS) began on an informal basis in 1986 in the
Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office in
Cincinnati where IRIS is based. In 1987, as calls for
assistance and information increased, the need for a
more formal support group was recognized. IRIS User
Support was developed to respond to this need. Since
that time it has grown both in function and capabilities.
IRIS User Support provides assistance to users of IRIS
by responding to requests for information on the IRIS
system as well as the Reference Dose (RfD) and
Carcinogen Risk Assessment Verification Endeavor
(CRAVE) Work Group activities. Requests for assistance
are received from EPA staff, other federal agencies,
state and local governments, as well as the public and
international communities. IRIS User Support is available
to assist all IRIS users and will send a User Guide as
well as background documents, which describe the
methodology on which IRIS is based, to anyone
requesting them. IRIS demonstrations and presentation
have been made to various groups both within and
outside of EPA.
The types of questions IRIS User Support receives are
varied. Some of the questions received are referred to
other Agency hotlines or information numbers. Others,
such as the following, are responded to within 24 hours:
Is E-MAIL the only way to access IRIS?
No. IRIS is also available on TOXNET and the
Public Health Network, as well as on NTIS diskettes;
however, the NTIS diskettes are only updated
quarterly.
How are RfDs derived?
In response to this question, IRIS User Support
forwards Background Document 1, "Reference
Dose (RfD): Description and Use in Health Risk
Assessments," to the user.
Is anthracene being reviewed for inclusion on IRIS?
The user is referred to Service Code 8, a list of
chemicals under review or about to be reviewed by
either the Reference Dose (RfD) or Carcinogen Risk
Assessment Verification Endeavor (CRAVE) Work
Group.
How can I print an IRIS file?
IRIS User Support provides instructions on how to
print files using Crosstalk. Detailed print instructions
can also be mailed to the user.
Since the Agency files for IRIS are maintained by
ECAO-Cincinnati, the supporting documentation for
assessments on IRIS, as well as those under review by
the RfD and CRAVE Work Groups, are available as a
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resource to anyone within the Agency by calling IRIS
User Support. The RfD and CRAVE Work Group
activities are tracked and quarterly reports are prepared
to provide the latest information on the status of each
assessment. These quarterly reports are available to
anyone within the Agency.
IRIS User Support is a resource!! For assistance in using
IRIS or information on the "status of a particular chemical,
contact IRIS User Support Voice mail is now available
24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Call IRIS User Support at
(513) 569-7254 and leave a message. Your call will be
returned by the next working day.
AIRDOS-PC: PC Software for Estimating Dose
from Radionuclides in Air
by Barry Parks (FTS 545-2443)
The Office of Radiation Programs Las Vegas Facility has
developed the personal computer software package
AIRDOS-PC, version 3.0, which calculates dose from
radionuclides released to air. Over 200 copies of the
software package have been distributed.
AIRDOS-PC estimates the dose to maximally exposed
members of the public, and is designed for use by
Department of Energy facilities subject to 40 Part
61.93(a), which limits emissions of radionuclides to air.
AIRDOS-PC was developed to run on personal
computers in order to make the EPA assessment
methodology more generally available and easier to use
and to present the dose assessment information in a
clear, concise format.
AIRDOS-PC requires the following hardware:
IBM-compatible PC, XT, AT
DOS 2.0 or higher
-	640 Kb RAM (500 K free)
-	parallel port for a printer
-	Intel math coprocessor chip
AIRDOS-PC uses a modified Gaussian plume equation
to estimate both horizontal and vertical dispersion of
radionuclides released from up to six sources. The
sources may be either elevated stacks, such as a
smokestack, or uniform circular area sources, such as a
pile of uranium mill tailings. Plume rises may be
calculated for either a momentum-driven or buoyancy-
driven plume.	,
AIRDOS-PC computes radionuclide concentrations in
air, rates of deposition on ground surfaces,
concentrations in food and intake rates to people from
inhalation of air and ingestion of food produced in the
assessment area. Estimates of the radionuclide
concentrations in produce, leafy vegetables, milk, and
meat consumed by humans are made by coupling the
output of the atmospheric transport models with the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 1,109
terrestrial food chain models.
Assessments are done for a circular area within a radius
of 80 kilometers (50 miles) around the facility. The code
calculates doses at preselected distances between 300
and 80,000 meters. However, the user has the option of
starting the assessment at any distance between 300
and 80,000 meters for scenarios where the distance to
the nearest individual is known.
Meteorological data for selected sites are supplied for
use in the dispersion calculations. A utility program is
provided for uploading user-supplied meteorological
data.
Dose conversion factors used in AIRDOS-PC are
provided for the pathways of ingestion and inhalation
intake, ground level air immersion, and ground surface
irradiation. The effective dose equivalent is calculated by
combining the inhalation and ingestion intake rates and
air and ground surface concentrations with the
appropriate dose conversion factors. Doses may be
further tabulated as a function of radionuclide, pathway,
location, and organ at the user's option.
If you would like to obtain a copy of the AIRDOS-PC
software package, please contact Barry Parks at FTS
545-2443.
III. Around the Regions
Region III - Comparative Risk Project
Region III released its Comparative Risk Project Report
on February 26, 1990. The report describes the
organization, methodologies, and results of the first
phase of the project. Copies of the report have already
been distributed to all the regions and Headquarters.
Several articles regarding the report have appeared in
local newspapers.
The results of the project are being used as part of the
region's Strategic Planning Process, as well as in the
development of environmental indicators. Also, through
the multi-media focus of the project, a better under-
standing of risk-based approaches to environmental
problems has resulted. The region is currently involved
in a cross-media enforcement pilot project which uses
risk information in selecting candidate facilities for
enforcement actions.
Anyone interested in obtaining a copy of the Region III
report may contact Jeffrey Burke at FTS 597-1177.
Contact: Jeffrey Burke (FTS 597-1177)
Region IX - Risk Assessment for Managers
Region IX staff, in association with the University of
California at Davis, are conducting a one-day class,
"Methodology for Risk Assessment, Risk Management,
and Risk Communication," May 31, 1990. The class is
specifically designed for mangers, public health
practitioners, and professionals from the private sector
who need information about risk assessment but who
cannot spare the time for the "Risk and Decision-
Making" workshop. The class will focus on basic risk
assessment terminology, risk management approaches,
applications of epidemiology and toxicology to the
process, a brief review of the sociology of risk
communication, and a discussion of the Alar episode.
The faculty include David Goldsmith and Alvin Chun
from Region IX, Allan Smith from University of California
at Berkeley, and Rick Becker from the California
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Department of Health Services. There will also be a
separate keynote address by John (Jack) Moore, former
Assistant Administrator for Pesticides and Toxic
Substances, and now the Director for the Institute for
Evaluating Health Risks. The title of his address is "The
Risks and Benefits of Risk Assessment in the 1990s."
The class is part of a two-day Occupational and
Environmental Medicine Symposium sponsored by the
Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,
Department of Internal Medicine, University of California
at Davis School of Medicine. Other sessions include
classes or presentations on epidemiology, biostatistics,
pesticide medicine, occupational dermatology, pulmo-
nary medicine, indoor bioaerosols, earthquake epidemi-
ology, heavy metals, and neurological effects of solvent
exposure. Many categories of continuing education
credit are available.
Free brochures are available from the University of
California at Davis Office of Continuing Medical
Education at (916) 734-5390.
Contact: Dr. David Goldsmith, FTS 556-8580
IV. Announcements
Courses from the Center for Exposure
Assessment Modeling
by Joyce A. Wood (FTS 250-3325)
The US EPA Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling
l(CEAM) is offering the following five workshops this
summer: The Risk of Unsaturated/Saturated Transport
and Transformation for Chemical Concentrations -
RUSTIC; Advanced Water Quality Modeling and
Exposure with WASP4; The Stream Water Quality and
Uncertainty Model - QUAL2EU; The Metals Equilibrium
Speciation Model - MINTEQA2; and Estuarine Waste
Load Allocation Guidance. EPA staff are encouraged to
attend these advanced modeling workshops. Contractors
and the general public are also offered a limited number
of openings. For more information or to register, contact:
Joyce A. Wool, AScI Corp., c/o USEPA/ERL, College
Station Rd., Athens, GA 30613-7799. Phone: (404) 546-
3325 or FTS 250-3325
THE RISK OF UNSATURATED/SATURATED
TRANSPORT AND TRANSFORMATION FOR
CHEMICAL CONCENTRATIONS MODEL (RUSTIC)
June 19-22, 1990, Athens, GA
The RUSTIC exposure and assessment training course
is designed for engineers and scientists who apply
models used to perform ground water quality
assessment activities. RUSTIC (Risk of Unsaturated/
Saturated Transport and Transformation for Chemical
Concentrations) is a modeling system consisting of three
modules (root zone, vadose, and the saturated zone)
that is capable of calculating the transport and
transformation of organics from land surface to and into
groundwater. Included in RUSTIC are hydrological and
chemical processes and extensive meteorologic and
(soils databases. The model may be used in a number of
different configurations depending on complexity of the
system to be modeled.
The purpose of the training course is to provide
participants with the knowledge and experience to apply
the RUSTIC model to a variety of environmental
exposure assessment problems for organic chemicals
and to provide an understanding of the hydrological and
chemical processes simulated in order to enhance the
use and the understanding of the models output.
Specific objectives of the course will be to demonstrate
how to evaluate the areas of concern, degree of model
linkage sophistication, entering RUSTIC problems into
the computer, and interpretation of output.
Lectures will address theoretical considerations of
various hydrological and chemical processes simulated,
organization of the software and documentation, model
limitations, and numerical solutions techniques and
boundary conditions. In addition, actual experience in
the applications of RUSTIC will be provided through
hands-on modeling of simple systems. Specific
objectives for the course will be to demonstrate how to
enter the problems into the computer and interpret
output. The following prerequisite is strongly suggested
but not mandatory: experience with the Pesticide Root
Zone Model (PRZM), experience with batch input
sequences with formatted configuration, and experience
with computer keyboards.
ADVANCED WATER QUALITY AND EXPOSURE
MODELING WITH THE WATER ANALYSIS
SIMULATION PROGRAM (WASP)
July 16-20, 1990, Athens, GA
The workshop will cover a variety of topics and modeling
techniques designed to aid engineers and scientists in
the management of water pollution control to achieve
water quality goals. The purpose of the workshop is to
provide participants with the knowledge and the tools to
evaluate problems associated with eutrophication and
toxicants in surface waters. Lectures will address four
major topics: (1) Hydraulic and Hydrodynamic Modeling,
(2) Transport Modeling, (3) Toxicant Kinetics, and (4)
Eutrophication Modeling. The workshop has been
modularized to allow participants to select major topics
of instruction if it is not possible to attend the entire
workshop. Session 2 and the first halves of 3 and 4
constitute the core of this workshop.
The workshop will emphasize the use of the WASP4
modeling system. WASP4 is a dynamic model for site-
specific evaluation of transport, transformation, and the
fate of contaminants and conventional pollutants in
surface waters. The application and linkage of
hydrodynamic and transport models with WASP4 will be
discussed as well as the prediction of uptake and
distribution of contaminants in aquatic food chains. Two
bioaccumulation models will be presented-the Food
Chain Model and FGETS. Emphasis will be placed on
case studies. The course will also provide experience in
the actual application and operation of the WASP4
model(s).
The workshop will cover a wide variety of topics and is
considered an advanced course in water quality
modeling. Therefore, a recommended prerequisite to the
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course is some prior training or experience in water
quality modeling techniques.
THE STREAM WATER QUALITY AND UNCERTAINTY
MODEL (QUAL2EU)
July 23-27, 1990, Athens, GA
The QUAL2EU Modeling workshop is intended for
engineers and scientists' who perform water quality
modeling. The workshop is designed for persons already
familiar with basic concepts of water quality modeling.
Participants will review the theory used in the model, but
the primary objective of the workshop is to teach the use
of the QUAL2EU and QUAL2EU-UNCAS computer
programs. The model is designed to evaluate the effects
on water quality of nutrients, BOD, DO, coliforms,
temperature, and conservative materials.
QUAL2EU can also be used to evaluate the effects of
point sources of pollution and perform waste load
allocations for NPDES dischargers. Included throughout
the workshop will be hands-on sessions using the
Athen's Environmental Research Laboratory's
computers. Uncertainty analysis, using the integrated
sensitivity, first order error analysis, and Monte Carlo
analysis capabilities of QUAL2EU-UNCAS will be
emphasized.
THE METALS EQUILIBRIUM SPECIATION MODEL
(MINTEQA2)
August 22-24, 1990, Athens, GA
This training course is designed for engineers,
scientists, and managers who perform and manage
water quality monitoring activities. MINTEQA2 is a
geochemical model that is capable of calculating
equilibrium aqueous speciation, adsorption, gas phase
partitioning, solid phase saturation states, and
precipitation-dissolution of metals. Included in
MINTEQA2 is an extensive thermodynamic database
that is adequate for solving many problems without need
for additional user-supplied thermodynamic data. Seven
sorption models are available in MINTEQA2 for which
the user must supply the adsorption reactions including
thermodynamic constants.
The purpose of the training course is to provide
participants with the knowledge and experience to apply
the MINTEQA2 model to a variety of environmental
exposure assessment problems for metals and to
provide an understanding of chemical and mathematical
speciation equilibria in order to eliminate "black box"
interpretations of MINTEQA2 outputs. Specific
objectives will be to demonstrate how to relate
environmental problems to MINTEQA2, how to enter
MINTEQA2 problems into the computer, and how to
interpret MINTEQA2 outputs.
Lectures will address solution and redox chemistries,
solids equilibria, and advanced theory. The course will
also cover case studies, including problems presub-
mitted by the participants." In addition, actual experience
in applications of the MINTEQA2 model will be provided
through the "hands on" modeling of simple systems.
The following prerequisite is strongly suggested but is
not mandatory: experience with solution chemistry
equilibria and experience with an IBM-PC or compatible
computer.
"Note: Presubmitted problems must be received at least
one month in advance of the course starting date. Upon
receipt of your registration, a confirmation letter will be
sent, including a problem submission form.
ESTUARINE WASTE LOAD ALLOCATION GUIDANCE
September 11-13, 1990, Athens, GA
The Estuarine Waste Load Allocation training course will
provide scientists and engineers with the technical
information and policy guidance for the preparation of
waste load allocation that are as technically sound as
current state of the art permits, while ensuring that
quality conditions that protect designated beneficial uses
are achieved. The lectures will address an overview of
water quality problems and estuarine characteristics,
estuarine simulation models identification and selection,
descriptions of the monitoring and the data collection
necessary for model application, guidance on the model
calibration and validation, and simplified example case
studies.
Workshops on Risk Assessment, Management
and Communication of Drinking Water
Contamination
The Center for Environmental Research Information of
the Office of Research and Development will be hosting
two "Risk Assessment, Management, and Communica-
tion of Drinking Water Contamination" courses.
The workshop is primarily geared towards regional and
state staffs and includes a combination of lecture and
case study to teach how to assess drinking water
contamination. The training will include an EPA
Regulatory Update; Principles of Toxicology and
Carcinogenicity; Principles of Absorption, Distribution,
Metabolism, and Excretion of Chemicals; Toxicological
Approaches Used in Developing National Drinking Water
Standards; and an Overview of the U. S. EPA Office of
Drinking Water Health Advisory Program. In addition, the
course will also cover risk communication.
The first presentation will be held from June 28 to 29,
1990, as part of the National Environmental Health
Association's 1990 Annual Educational Conference and
Exposition in Charlotte, North Carolina. The workshop
will be held in the Adams Mark Hotel (704) 372-4100,
and the room rate is $77.00.
The second workshop is scheduled for mid-day
September 10 to mid-day September 12, 1990, in
Albuquerque New Mexico. The workshop will be held at
the Holiday Inn Pyramid, 5151 San Francisco Road, N.
E . Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109. The Holiday Inn
can be reached at (505) 821 -3333, and the rate with tax
is $60.00.
For additional information on the course, please contact
Karen Natsios of Eastern Research, who is handling
administrative arrangements; her telephone number is
(617) 641-5320.
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Contacts:
Jerome Puskin
OAR-RAD
FTS
475-9640
Linda Tuxen
ORD-OHEA
FTS
382-5949
Dorothy Patton
ORD-RAF
FTS
475-6743
Dick Hill
OPTS

FTS
382-2897
Don Barnes
SAB

FTS
382-4126
Dean Hill
NEIC

FTS
776-8138
Sally Edwards
Region
1
FTS
835-3696
Marian Olsen
Region
II
FTS
264-5682
Jeffrey Burke
Region
III
FTS
597-1177
Elmer Akin
Region
IV
FTS
257-2234
Milt Clark
Region
V
FTS
886-3388
Jon Rauscher
Region
VI
FTS
255-6715
Bob Fenemore
Region
VII
FTS
757-2970
Suzanne Wuerthele Region
VIII
FTS
330-1714
Arnold Den
Region
IX
FTS
556-6472
Dana Davoli
Region
X
FTS
399-2135
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 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
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
AssessmentlRisk 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.	
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