Evaluating and Integrating Cumulative Environmental Impacts in Superfund Human Health Risk Assessments (Jul 23, 2024)

Contaminated Site Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN): Internet Seminar Video Archives

Superfund uses a risk-based decision framework to assess and manage human exposure to a release and the threat of a release in the environment from pollutants and contaminants. The risk assessment process quantifies the baseline risk from route of exposure (e.g., inhalation, ingestion, etc.) and the toxicity (e.g., cancer and noncancer). Furthermore, when information such as toxicity is not available, the risk assessment may provide a qualitative assessment to inform the risk manager towards a protective remedy. An important aspect is identifying at-risk populations that may be more susceptible to adverse health outcomes due to their vulnerability and sensitivity (e.g., children). However, Superfund has not issued national guidance on how to incorporate or consider concurrent exposure to factors such as psychosocial stress, racial/minority status, low-income and food insecurity, which have been shown to modify risks from chemical releases for at-risk communities. Executive Order 12898 requires EPA to identify and address, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies and activity on minority and low-income populations to the greatest extent possible. This webinar will provide an overview of the following topics: superfund risk assessment, chemical stressors, non-chemical stressors, Environmental Justice, screening tools, and superfund site case studies. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SF-HHRA_072324/