The Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) Note Number 3, revised in May 2022, includes detailed information about the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) development of modified screening levels based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Regional Screening Levels (RSLs) for human health risk assessment at hazardous waste sites and permitted facilities. The document emphasizes the importance of DTSC-SLs in evaluating chemical concentrations in environmental media at California sites. It highlights specific recommendations for several contaminants based on adopting the Toxicity Criteria for Human Health Risk Assessments Screening Levels and Remediation Goals rule.
Significant updates since the last revision include:
- New DTSC-SLs for various analytes due to updates in the USEPA RSL tables and changes in toxicity criteria.
- Modifications in soil DTSC-SL values for specific compounds resulting from changes in USEPA’s chemical-parameter values and toxicity criteria.
- Updated values for tap water and ambient air DTSC-SLs based on changes in toxicity criteria.
The document outlines the methodology used for the DTSC-SLs, incorporating updated toxicity criteria and exposure factors consistent with the most recent HERO HHRA Note 1 updates. It emphasizes the preference of DTSC-SLs over USEPA RSLs for chemical concentration evaluation at California sites, noting the importance of consulting HERO for specific recommendations on using the USEPA online screening calculator for site-specific values.
HERO’s development of DTSC-SLs for air included extrapolation for chemicals lacking an inhalation toxicity value, with details on toxicity criteria references provided in HHRA Note 10. The document discusses the continuation of previous iterations of HHRA Note 3, reviewing updates in the RSL table and incorporating recommendations for screening levels as of February 2020.
The DTSC-SLs are derived at a target risk level of 1×10-6 and a target hazard quotient of 1. Specific recommendations are discussed for several contaminants, including incorporating additional exposure pathways and site-specific considerations.
Who uses the Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA)
The Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) Note Number 3 information is crucial for various environmental health and safety stakeholders, especially within California. Here’s who might use this information and when:
Environmental Consultants and Engineers:
Professionals tasked with assessing the environmental impact of hazardous waste sites or permitted facilities. They use this document to ensure compliance with state-specific screening levels for contaminants during site assessments, remediation planning, and risk assessment reports.
Regulatory Agencies and Policy Makers:
Entities such as the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and other state and federal environmental agencies use this information to set regulations, guidelines, and policies for managing and mitigating risks associated with hazardous substances.
Industry and Facility Managers:
Managers are responsible for environmental health and safety compliance at industrial sites, waste management facilities, or hazardous substance operations. This document helps them understand the thresholds for various contaminants to maintain compliance with state regulations.
Research and Academic Institutions:
Researchers focusing on environmental health, toxicology, and related fields may use the document to inform their studies, contribute to the scientific literature on risk assessment methodologies, or develop new contaminant detection and remediation technologies.
Public Health Officials:
To assess potential health risks associated with exposure to contaminants in the environment, plan public health interventions, and communicate risks to the public.
Community Advocacy Groups:
Organizations representing the interests of communities near hazardous waste sites use this information to understand the potential risks and advocate for proper cleanup and management practices.
When Would HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT (HHRA) Information Be Used?
During Environmental Impact Assessments:
To evaluate potential or existing environmental contamination and its impact on human health.
In Remediation Projects:
Planned and implemented cleanup operations at contaminated sites, ensuring that contaminant levels were reduced to acceptable risk levels.
For Regulatory Compliance:
Ensuring that operations involving hazardous materials meet state and federal regulations to avoid legal and financial penalties.
When Responding to Environmental Incidents:
In the aftermath of spills, leaks, or other incidents involving hazardous materials, assess immediate and long-term risks and plan mitigation strategies.
In Public Health Planning:
To evaluate environmental health risks and plan interventions, community engagement, and education strategies to reduce exposure and health impacts.
The document’s emphasis on DTSC-modified Screening Levels (DTSC-SLs) underscores its importance for risk assessments in California, particularly for ensuring that environmental and public health considerations are adequately addressed in managing hazardous waste sites and establishing contaminant thresholds.
How do ESdat data management solutions help with the Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA)?
ESdat data management solutions offer comprehensive support for managing environmental standards and guidelines. Here’s how ESdat’s features can help users in the context of environmental and regulatory compliance:
Pre-Compiled Library of Regulatory Guidelines
- ESdat comes with a pre-loaded library of regulatory guidelines from various regions, including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. This vast collection ensures that users can easily access and comply with applicable environmental standards.
Customizable Environmental Standards
- Users can add environmental standards or site limits, adapting ESdat to specific project requirements or local regulations.
Real-Time Alerts for Guideline Exceedances
- ESdat provides real-time alerts for any exceedances of guideline values, allowing users to address and mitigate potential compliance issues promptly.
Comprehensive Support for Dependencies
- The system supports pH, hardness, depth, and matrix dependencies, facilitating accurate comparisons and analyses across different environmental conditions.
Integration with Lab and Field Data
- ESdat allows users to compare regulatory guidelines directly against lab and field results. This integration is crucial for making informed decisions based on actual site data.
Accessibility of Regulatory Guidelines
- Compiled regulatory guidelines include key standards such as EPA RSLs, Federal Water Quality MCLs, and CA DTSC SLs, among others. This comprehensive coverage ensures that users have access to the necessary standards for environmental assessment and remediation planning.
Versatile Application
- The solution is suitable for consultants, mining companies, government bodies, industries, energy providers, and landfill operators, illustrating its wide applicability across sectors concerned with environmental compliance.
Enhanced Reporting and Analysis
- Users can interpret and report data efficiently, integrate lab data, manage field programs, log bore data, and utilize the public portal for broader access to environmental data and compliance status.
ESdat’s environmental data management solutions facilitate efficient compliance with environmental standards and guidelines, streamline data analysis and reporting, and support proactive environmental risk management. By offering a pre-compiled library of guidelines, customizable standards, real-time alerts, and integration with lab and field data, ESdat ensures that organizations can effectively meet their environmental compliance obligations.
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