An examination of the role of risk assessment in superfund program management, implementation, and evaluation

Technical Report · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:125908

Bala, S ^[1]

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1. Marasco Newton Group, Ltd., Arlington, VA (United States)

Human health risk assessment is playing an increasing role in the characterization of the nature and extent of human health threats posed by Superfund hazardous waste sites, and the prioritization of these sites for remediation activities. Risk assessment also plays a central role in initiatives to measure and evaluate the program`s progress in remediating these sites, and in efforts to communicate that progress to a diverse audience. This paper examines the current role of risk assessment in Superfund`s program management, implementation, and evaluation activities, and advocates the need for a comprehensive plan to enhance and systematically apply risk assessment information across all of these activities. Specifically, this paper examines the role of risk assessment at three levels: (1) the current role of risk information in Superfund`s program management activities; (2) the current role of risk information in the implementation of site cleanup; (3) profile of Superfund`s approach to measuring, evaluating, and communicating site remediation progress via Environmental Indicators (EIs). Building on this three-level examination, this paper calls for the development of a comprehensive plan for the enhanced and systematic application of risk assessment information in Superfund`s program management, implementation, and evaluation activities. This paper also draws upon the current literature on risk assessment and measurement, risk-based planning and decision-making, and risk communication.

• Research Organization: National Association of Environmental Professionals, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 125908
• Report Number(s): CONF-9506115--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
EVALUATION
HEALTH HAZARDS
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
REMEDIAL ACTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
US SUPERFUND