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Science Advisor Programs

Products and Publications Relating to Risk Assessment Produced by the Office of the Science Advisor

The table below lists products and publications produced by the Office of Science Advisor (OSA).  You can find other EPA publications relating to risk assessment at these locations:

Title Year Description Ecological/Human Health
Generic Ecological Assessment Endpoints (GEAE) for Ecological Risk Assessment (2nd Edition) and Technical Background Paper 2016 This document assists EPA risk assessors conducting ecological risk assessments in considering ecosystem services when selecting assessment endpoints. The accompanying Technical Background Paper describes the science linking the use of ecosystem services to the structure and function of ecosystems and traditional ecological endpoints.  ecological
Cumulative risk assessment lessons learned: A review of case studies and issue papers 2015 In this article, ten case studies and five issue papers are examined and a set of six key lessons learned are identified for CRA implementation.  ecological/human health
Probabilistic Risk Assessment White Paper 2014 This paper includes methods, case studies and a companion Frequently-Asked Questions document. human health 
Guidance for Applying Quantitative Data to Develop Data-Derived Extrapolation Factors for Interspecies and Intraspecies Extrapolation 2014 This guidance outlines approaches for developing factors for inter- and intraspecies extrapolation based on data describing toxicokinetic and/or toxicodynamic properties of a particular agent. ecological/human health
Framework for Human Health Risk Assessment to Inform Decision Making 2014 This document provides a framework for implementing existing agency guidance in conducting human health risk assessments. human health

Guideline for Microbial Risk Assessment: Pathogenic Microorganisms with Focus on Food and Water

2012 This document provides guidance on conducting risk assessments on potentially pathogenic microorganisms in water and food. human health
Benchmark Dose Technical Guidance 2012 This document provides guidance on the application of the benchmark dose approach for determining the point of departure for health effects data. ecological/ human health
 
2011 This document lays out the approach and rationale for allometric scaling of oral dose using 3/4 power of body weight. human health
Dioxin Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for Human Health 2010 This document describes EPA's updated approach for evaluating the human health risks from exposures to environmental media containing dioxin-like compounds. human health
Integrating Ecological Assessment and Decision-Making 2010 A review of the state of ecological risk assessment, with recommendations to improve ecological risk assessment practices in the Agency. ecological
Framework for Application of the Toxicity Equivalence Methodology for Polychlorinated Dioxins, Furans and Biphenyls in Ecological Risk Assessment 2008 This framework is intended to assist EPA scientists in using the toxicity equivalence methodology in ecological risk assessments that involve dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals. ecological
Framework for Metals Risk Assessment 2007 A framework which outlines key principles about metals and describes how they should be considered in conducting human health and ecological risk assessments. ecological/human health
Guidance on Selecting Age Groups for Monitoring and Assessing Childhood Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (Final) 2006 A document intended to provide guidance to EPA scientists on selecting age groups to consider when assessing childhood exposure and potential dose to environmental contaminants. human health
Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment 2005 These updated guidelines provide a framework to EPA scientists for assessing possible cancer risks from exposures to pollutants or other agents in the environment. human health
Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Susceptibility from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens 2005 The Cancer Guidelines explicitly call for consideration of possible sensitive subpopulations and/or lifestages (such as childhood). The consideration of childhood risks in the final Cancer Guidelines has been augmented by this document. human health
Generic Ecological Assessment Endpoints (GEAE) for Ecological Risk Assessment 2004 This document addresses the critical early step in ecological risk assessments of selecting assessment endpoints for protection. ecological
Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment 2003 This framework is the first step in a long-term effort in understanding the aggregation of risks from multiple environmental stressors. human health
A Review of the Reference Dose and Reference Concentration Processes 2002 This document addresses improvements in the process of deriving reference values, including "less than lifetime" and chronic reference values. human health
Assessment of Thyroid Follicular Cell Tumors 1998 A review of some chemicals that have produced thyroid follicular cell tumors in experimental animals. human health
Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment 1998 These Agency-wide guidelines are provided to improve the quality and consistency of EPA's ecological risk assessments.  ecological
Guidelines for Neurotoxicity Risk Assessment 1998 This document guides EPA scientists in evaluating environmental contaminants that may pose neurotoxic risks. human health
Guiding Principles for Monte Carlo Analysis 1997 This document sets out a policy for use of probabilistic analysis in risk assessment and preliminary guidance on using probabilistic analysis.  human health
Guidelines for Reproductive Toxicity Risk Assessment 1996 This document discusses exposure to agents that cause reproductive toxicity and describe the principles and procedures to be followed in conducting risk assessments for reproductive toxicity.  human health
Framework for Ecological Risk Assessment 1992 This report describes basic elements for evaluating scientific information on the adverse effects of physical and chemical stressors on the environment. ecological
Guidelines for Exposure Assessment 1992 This document describes the general concepts of exposure assessment including definitions and associated units and planning and conducting an exposure assessment. human health
Guidelines for Developmental Toxicity Risk Assessment 1991 Guidelines for assessing the risks for developmental toxicity from exposure to environmental agents. human health
Guidelines for Mutagenicity Risk Assessment 1986 These guidelines advise Agency experts review information on each agent under consideration and use the most scientifically appropriate interpretation to assess risk.  human health
Guidelines for the Health Risk Assessment of Chemical Mixtures 1986 These guidelines evaluate data on the health risks from exposures to chemical mixtures.  human health