Guidance & Tools
EPA has developed help for assessing and managing environmental risks, including guidance and tools which are the models and databases used in risk assessments. In some cases, these resources are broad enough to be relevant across all statutes that EPA administers while in other cases, they are more applicable to specific EPA programs.
Below are links to various risk assessment resources used by EPA scientists to assess risks to environmental hazards listed by:
- Guidance (this includes guidelines, guidance, handbooks, framework, and general "how-to" documents)
- Tools (this includes models and databases)
- Regional Tools
Guidance
Major EPA-Wide Risk Assessment Guidelines
- Guidelines for Chemical Mixtures Risk Assessment (1986)
- Guidelines for Developmental Toxicity Risk Assessment (1991)
- Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment (1998)
- Guidelines for Exposure Assessment (1992)
- Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment (2005)
- Guidelines for Microbial Risk Assessment (2012)
- Guidelines for Mutagenicity Risk Assessment (1986)
- Guidelines for Neurotoxicity Risk Assessment (1998)
- Guidelines for Reproductive Toxicity Risk Assessment (1996)
Other EPA-wide policies, principles & risk assessment guidance
- Alpha2u-Globulin: Association with Chemically Induced Renal Toxicity and Neoplasia in the Male Rat (1991)
- A Review of the Reference Dose and Reference Concentration Processes (2002)
- Assessment of Thyroid Follicular Cell Tumors (1998)
- Assessment Factors for Evaluating the Quality of Scientific and Technical Information (2003)
- Benchmark Dose Technical Guidance (2012)
- Considerations for Developing a Dosimetry-Based Cumulative Risk Assessment Approach for Mixtures of Environmental Contaminants (2009)
- Cumulative Health Risk Assessment of Multiple Chemicals, Exposures, and Effects: A Resource Document (2008)
- Cumulative Risk Planning & Scoping Guidance (1997)
- EPA's Strategic Plan for Evaluating the Toxicity of Chemicals (2009)
- EPA Scientific Integrity Policies (2012)
- Exploration of Aging and Toxic Response (2001)
- Exploration of Perinatal Pharmacokinetic Issues (2001)
- Exposure Factors Handbook | Highlights of the Exposure Factors Handbook (2011)
- Framework for Application of the Toxicity Equivalence Methodology for Polychlorinated Dioxins, Furans, and Biphenyls in Ecological Risk Assessment (2008)
- Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment (2003)
- Framework for Developing Suspended and Bedded Sediment (SABS) Water Quality Criteria (2006)
- Framework for the Economic Assessment of Ecological Benefits (2002)
- Framework for Human Health Risk Assessment to Inform Decision Making (2014)
- Framework for Metals Risk Assessment (2007)
- Generic Ecological Assessment Endpoints (GEAE) for Ecological Risk Assessment (2004)
- Guidance Document on the Development, Evaluation and Application of Environmental Models (2009)
- Guidance for Applying Quantitative Data to Develop Data-Derived Extrapolation Factors for Interspecies and Intraspecies Extrapolation (2014)
- Handbook for Non-Cancer Health Effects Valuation (2000)
- Human Health Risk Assessment Colloquium Summary Report (2012)
- Interim Genomics Policy (2002)
- Interim Position on Environmental Endocrine Disruption (1997)
- Nanotechnology White Paper (2007)
- PCBs: Cancer Dose-Response Assessment (1996)
- Peer Review Handbook - 3rd Edition (2006)
- Probabilistic Methods to Enhance the Role of Risk Analysis in Decision-Making (External Review Draft) (2009)
- Probablistic Analysis in Risk Assessment (1997)
- Provisional Guidance for Quantitative Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (1993)
- Recommended Use of Body Weight 3/4 as the Default Method in Derivation of the Oral Reference Dose (2011)
- Risk Characterization Handbook (2000)
- Scientific and Ethical Approaches for Observational Exposure Studies (2009)
- Stressor Identification Guidance Document (2000)
- Test Method Collections (2008)
Air and Radiation
- Estimating
Radiogenic Cancer Risks (PDF) (68 pp, 272KB) (1994)
Children's Health
- A Framework for Assessing Health Risk of Environmental Exposures to Children (2006)
- Guidance on Selecting Age Groups for Monitoring and Assessing Childhood Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (2005)
- Guide to Considering Children's Health When Developing EPA Actions: Implementing Executive Order 13045 and EPA's Policy on Evaluating Health Risks to Children (PDF) (42 pp, 728KB) (2006)
- Policy on Evaluating Risk to Children (1995)
- Summary Report of the Technical Workshop on Issues Associated with Considering Developmental Changes in Behavior and Anatomy When Assessing Exposure to Children (2001)
- Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Susceptibility from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens (2005)
Chemical Safety & Pollution Prevention
- Dioxin Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for Human Health (2010)
- Framework for Application of the Toxicity Equivalence Methodology for Polychlorinated Dioxins, Furans and Biphenyls in Ecological Risk Assessment (2008)
- Guidance on Cumulative Risk Assessment of Pesticides with a Common Mechanism of Action (PDF) (90 pp, 491KB) (2002)
- Harmonized Test Guidelines (various dates)
- Overview of the Ecological Risk Assessment Process in the Office of Pesticide Programs (PDF) (92 pp, 628k) (2004)
- Pesticides: Human Health Issues
- Pesticides: Ecological Risk Assessments
- Pesticide: Science Policy Issues & Guidance
Documents
- FQPA 10-Fold Safety Factor
- Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment
- Threshold of Regulation
- Drinking Water Exposure
- Residential Exposure
- Aggregrate Exposure and Risk Assessment
- Cumulative Risk Assessment for Pesticides with a Common Mechanism of Toxicity
- Chollinesterase Inhibition End Point
- Use and Usage Information
- Process for Assessing Pesticide Risks to Endangered Species
- Report of the Workshop on Selecting Input Distributions for Probabilistic Assessments (1999)
- Standard Operating Procedures for Residential Pesticide Exposure Assessment (2012)
- Summary Report for the Workshop on Issues Associated with Dermal Exposure and Uptake (2000)
- Summary Report for the Workshop on the Relationship Between Exposure Duration and Toxicity (1999)
Solid Waste and Emergency Response
- Key OSWER Policy Guidance Documents (various dates)
Water
- Guidance for Assessing Chemical Contaminant Data for Use In Fish Advisories - Volume 2: Risk Assessment and Fish Consumption Limits - Third Edition (2000)
- Report on Population-level Ecological Risk Assessment Workshop (2009)
- Watershed Ecological Risk Assessment
Models & Tools
EPA-wide Risk Assessment Models
- BASINS 4.0 Climate Assessment Tool (CAT)
- Benchmark Dose System (BMDS)
- Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS)
- CATREG Software for Categorical Regression Analysis
- Council for Regulatory Environmental Monitoring (CREM)
- EMSOFT: Exposure Model for Soil-Organic Fate and Transport
- Example Exposure Scenarios Tool
- Flowthru Data Reader (for the Turner Design Model)
- Metal Finishing Facility Risk Screening Tool (MFFRST)
- MPN Software Program
- OnSite -- Online tools for Site Assessment
- Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models
- Tracer-Test Planning using the Efficient Hydrologic Tracer-Test Design (EHTD) Program
Air and Radiation
- Criteria Pollutant and Air Toxic Pollutant Risk Assessment
- Models 3/CMAQ - Air Quality Modeling System
- Radiation Risk Assessment /Risk Assessment
- Radiation Risk Assessment Software: CAP88 and CAP88 PC
- TRIM Model
Chemical Safety & Pollution Prevention
- Probabilistic Exposure and Risk Model for FUMigants (PERFUM)
- TRI Risk Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI)
- 2010 TRI (Toxic Release Inventory) National Analysis (Annual Report) (2012)
Human Health
- Dietary Exposure Potential Model
- Exposure Related Dose Estimating Model (ERDEM) for Assessing Human Exposure and Dose
- EPA Positive Matrix Factorization 1.1 (EPA PMF 1.1)
Regional Screening Levels for Chemical Contaminants at Superfund Sites (RSLs)
The "Regional Screening Levels for Chemical Contaminants at Superfund Sites" screening level/preliminary remediation goal website represents an update of the EPA Region 3 RBC Table, Region 6 HHMSSL Table and the Region 9 PRG Table. This website contains tables of risk-based screening levels, calculated using the latest toxicity values, default exposure assumptions and physical and chemical properties, and a calculator where default parameters can be changed to reflect site-specific risks. Users of the RSLs are encouraged to also review the RSLs' user's guide,the frequently asked questions and other supporting information as well as the screening levels in the tables. [Link: http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/risk/human/rb-concentration_table/index.htm]
- Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRGs) for Radionuclides
- Preliminary Remediation Goals for Radionuclides in Buildings (BPRG)
- Preliminary Remediation Goals for Radionuclides in Outside Surfaces (SPRG)
- ARAR Dose Compliance Concentrations (DCCs) for Radionuclides
- ARAR Dose Compliance Concentrations Goals for Radionuclides in Buildings (BDCC)
- ARAR Dose Compliance Concentrations Goals for Radionuclides in Surfaces (SDCC)
Solid Waste and Emergency Response
- Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM)
- Ecosystems Research Environmental Simulation and Modeling
- Ecotox Thresholds
- Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic Model for Lead in Children (IEUBK)
- Johnson and Ettinger (1991) Model for Subsurface Vapor Intrusion into Buildings
Databases & Assessments
EPA-wide Risk Assessment related Databases
- Biomarkers Database
- Consolidated Human Activity Database (CHAD)
- Contaminated Sediments Science Priorities
- Data Finder
- Database of Sources of Environmental Releases of Dioxin-like Compounds in the United States
- Distributed Structure-Searchable Toxicity (DSSTox) Database Network
- ECOTOXicology - chemical toxicity database for aquatic and terrestrial life (ECOTOX)
- Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP)
- Environmental Science (Databases and Software)
- Exposure Assessment Toolbox (EPA-Expo-Box)
- Forum on Environmental Measurements (FEM)
- Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
- Human Exposure Database System (HEDS)
- Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
- Physiological Information Database (PID)
- Radionuclide Carcinogenicity Slope Factors
- Report on the Environment (ROE)
- Science Inventory (SI)
- Scientific and Ethical Approaches for Observational Exposure Studies Report
- Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation (SHEDS) model
- Wildlife Exposure Factors Handbook
- Window to Readily-Available Analytical Products (WRAP)
Air and Radiation
Children's Health
- Consolidated Human Activity Database (CHAD) & CHAD-Explorer
- Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children's Health (TEACH)
Chemical Safety & Pollution Prevention
Water
- National Hydrography Dataset (NHD)
- STORET (data STOrage and RETrieval system)
- Water Quality Assessment Database (ADB)
- Water Quality National Assessment Database (NAD)
- Watershed Assessment, Tracking and Environmental Results (WATERS)
- Water Resources Database (WRDB)
Regional Tools
EPA-wide Risk Assessment Models
- Mid-Atlantic Freshwater Screening Benchmarks
- Mid- Atlantic Risk-Based Concentration Levels
- Multi-criteria Integrated Resource Assessment (MIRA)
- Naturally Occurring Asbestos in California
- Pacific Northwest Environmental Assessment Links
- RCRA - Risk Assessment Program
- Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessments (SLERA)
- Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)