Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment Expertise
Assessment Protocols
Selected Risk Assessment Projects
Terra Mentis has conducted risk assessments under a wide range of risk assessment protocols and in accordance with a wide range of guidance documents. We are thoroughly familiar with Federal risk assessment guidance for CERCLA, RCRA, TSCA and the Clear Air and Clean Water Acts. The key guidance documents relative to risk assessment include:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1989. Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund, Volume I, Human Health Evaluation Manual (Part A). EPA/540/1-89/002. December.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1991. Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund, Volume I: Human Health Evaluation Manual, Supplemental Guidance Standard Default Exposure Factors. March.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1992a. Guidance for Data Usability in Risk Assessment. Publication 9285.7-09A.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1992b. Calculating the Concentration Term. Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund. Supplemental Guidance. OSWER Directive #9285.7-081.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1994b. Evaluating and Identifying Contaminants of Concern for Human Health. Region 8 Superfund Technical Guidance. September.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1995. Model Site Conceptual Models for RI/FS Baseline Risk Assessment of Human and Ecological Health. Region 8 Superfund Technical Guidance. May.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1997. Exposure Factors Handbook. Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment. EPA/600/P-95/002Fa-c. August.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1998a. Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund. Volume I: Human Health Evaluation Manual. Supplemental Guidance. Dermal Risk Assessment. Interim Guidance. External Review Draft, May 7, 1998.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004. Supplemental Guidance for Dermal Risk Assessment: Part E of Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund: Volume I: Human Health Evaluation Manual Supplemental Guidance, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Environmental Protection Agency, OSWER 9285.7-02 EP, August
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009. Regional Screening Levels for Chemical Contaminants at Superfund Sites, Formerly known as: Regional 9 Preliminary Remediation Goals, (http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/sfund/prg/)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009. Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund, Volume 1: Human Health Evaluation Manual (Part F, Supplemental; Guidance for Inhalation Risk Assessment, Final, Office of Superfund Remediation Technology Innovation, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington D.C., January
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009. Exposure Factors Handbook: 2009 Update, EPA/600/R-09/052A, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington D.C., July
Most Federal and State risk assessment approaches use the four-step approach developed for the CERCLA or Superfund program. These are:
- Selection of Chemicals of Concern
- Exposure Assessment
- Toxicity Assessment
- Risk Characterization
Other guidance documents that Terra Mentis actively follow, and has been involved with the development of, is the EPA Vapor Intrusion Guidance document and its use for the development of indoor air clean up goals. This work shows Terra Mentis' ability to stay current with risk assessment guidance as it is developed and to use this information in support of our clients.
In addition to being familiar with the State and Federal Guidance documents in the US we regularly use those developed by Region V, VI, VIII, and many VRP and Brownfield risk assessment guidance.
We have extensive experience in the development of Site-specific Risk-based goals using assumptions consistent with those of the VRP. This work has led to risk assessments that have been submitted to EPA and State agencies with Region VIII and around the US. A summary of this work can be found in the resumes of key staff members.