Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
Representative Projects
Analysis of Risks to Tribal Members from Lamprey Consumption, Washington and Oregon
EI prepared a report on behalf of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) regarding the risks to tribal members from consumption of lamprey from the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. The report was requested to explain the implications of the results of a fish tissue study conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) in Portland Harbor (the EPA/ODHS study) that provided much-needed data on contamination in lamprey and several other species of fish. The report presents basic risk assessment principles; methods and assumptions specific to the tribal context; background information on the PCBs and their health effects; the lamprey PCB data from the EPA/ODHS study that were used for the assessment; and the results of the ingestion rate analysis including tables that provide the details of ingestion rates based on varying levels of cancer risk and non-cancer hazard. The report also includes a discussion of the uncertainty in this analysis and provides brief conclusions and possible next steps for further study. *top
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment, Alaska
Provided technical and management support for human health and ecological assessment following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The project involved a review of the reports of the Oil Spill Health Task Force and the FDA's risk assessment and advisory opinion on the safety of subsistence foods. Project included a compilation and assessment of data on toxic residues identified in fish and mammals. *top
DEW-Line Risk Assessments, Alaska
An EI scientist/risk assessor oversaw risk assessments at eight distant early warning (DEW)-Line sites on the North Slope of Alaska for US Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence. The project involved field sampling and site characterization, interim remedial action, human health and ecological risk assessment, remedial investigation and feasibility studies. *top
EPRI Risk Communication Manual, California
Coordinated a project for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to develop a risk communication manual for utility managers. The manual presents realistic, industry-specific issues and situations that are likely to be handled by the utility managers. The project involved a review of the published literature, identification and development of relevant case studies, workshops, and design and production of training materials. *top
DOE Facility Risk Assessments and Risk Communication, Washington, DC
Provided management assistance on an 11-million dollar project to evaluate the risks at a number of Department of Energy facilities throughout the United States. The project included an appraisal of all the existing human health and ecological risk assessments performed at the sites, a review of all risk-related site data and a synthesis of this information. The project also involved presentations of findings and risk communication to affected parties. The report from the project was used as the basis of a Report to Congress regarding the nature and management of risks across the Department of Energy complex. *top
EEI Risk Communication Guidance, Washington, DC
Developed a report for the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) entitled "Principles and Guidelines of Effective Risk Communication." This Issues and Trends Briefing Paper was distributed to several thousand utility managers throughout the United States. *top
Analysis of RCRA Hazardous Wastes Containing PCBs, Washington, DC
Provided management assistance to US EPA's Office of Solid Waste to determine the types and quantities of RCRA hazardous wastes containing PCBs being land disposed. Project involved characterization of the wastes, identification of their sources and determination of current waste management practices. *top
Risk Management Report and Database Creation, Washington, DC
Provided management assistance for the Industrial Chemistry Branch of US EPA's Office of Toxic Substances. The project involved researching properties and other information for a variety of chemicals to prepare risk management 1 (RM1) reports. The project also involved the preparation of a database documenting information contained in the RM1 reports. Over 370 RM1 reports were completed. *top
Community Relations/Risk Communication for Hazardous Waste Incinerator Permitting, Louisiana
Provided management assistance on community relations/risk communication aspects of a project for permitting a hazardous waste incinerator. The project included assessing the relevant audiences and their concerns, addressing the issues raised and providing guidance on the appropriate means to present risk assessment results. Risks were communicated in such a way to facilitate the public's understanding. Appropriate risk comparisons were utilized to provide a perspective on the risk from the incinerator. *top
Milltown Reservoir Ecological Risk Assessment, Montana
Provided technical guidance and support for an ecological risk assessment of uplands, wetlands and river habitat impacted by mining wastes in western Montana. Developed sampling and analysis plans as well as work plans and technical reports for the assessment. Prepared biological surveys and conducted wetland delineations, and an EI team member served as team leader for over forty scientists on the project. Also conducted informational meetings for the public and maintained effective working relationships with several interested parties including state and federal government agencies, landowners, the public and environmental organizations. *top
Training Program in RCRA and CERCLA Cleanup Processes, Ohio
For the Department of Energy, designed and conducted a training program for facility personnel addressing CERCLA and RCRA cleanup processes in order to provide a framework for strategic environmental planning and ensure legally sufficient cleanup. Reviewed facility EMS documents as well as Superfund and RCRA assessments and other guidance documents. Through the training course, provided a thorough understanding of underlying Superfund requirements, discussed statutory definitions, provided overviews of removal actions and risk assessments, and reviewed document control procedures and methods of gap analysis and integration of cleanup processes. *top
Tribal CERCLA Support, Oregon
Providing support to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Siletz, Umatilla, and Warm Springs to address injuries to tribal resources at the Portland Harbor, Taylor Lumber and McCormick and Baxter National Priorities List sites. Reviewing site investigation information at the three sites to identify where tribal resources have been threatened or harmed. Assisting the tribes in prioritizing cleanup actions at the Portland Harbor sites. Evaluating proposed remediation alternatives to determine effectiveness. Representing the tribes at key site meetings and conference calls. Reviewing and providing comment on key documents, including site characterizations, environmental evaluations, proposed plans, work plans, project memoranda, remedial investigation/feasibility studies, quality assurance plans, operation and maintenance plans, health and safety plans, contingency plans, records of decision, remedial design documents, remedial action plans and human health and ecological risk assessments. *top
Superfund Risk Assessment/Risk Characterization, Oregon, Washington and Idaho
Provided oversight for several risk assessments for Superfund sites in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The projects involved the assessment of relevant geologic and hydrogeologic conditions and site characterizations, including contamination assessment and identification of chemicals of concern. The risk assessments involved exposure assessments, toxicity assessments and risk characterization along with a discussion of uncertainties. *top
Tribal Assistance in the NPL Listing Process and Sediment Standards Development, Washington
Working with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation to address contamination in the upper Columbia River watershed. The site has been contaminated by historic and current discharges from mines, milling operations, smelters and a pulp and paper mill. Several fish consumption advisories have been issued and the bioaccumulation of toxics has impacted tribal fisheries resources. Providing support to the Tribes for all phases of the CERCLA process at the upland sites and contaminated sediment sites. This effort includes reviewing preliminary assessments and site investigation reports; helping the Tribes navigate the NPL listing process; reviewing Sampling and Quality Assurance Plans; providing analysis of sediment, soil and water data collected by US EPA and others; meeting with and negotiating with regulators; recommending studies to complete a thorough ecological and human health risk assessment; and providing advice on the remedial investigation data collection process to set the stage for a natural resource damage assessment. *top
Hanford Site Waste Management and Risk Communication, Washington
Assisted the Department of Energy in developing waste minimization and pollution prevention plans for the Department's Hanford site in Eastern Washington. Project involved working with facility personnel to evaluate existing waste management practices and procedures, assess pollution prevention opportunities, review guidance and documentation, communicate potential human health and environmental risks, and revise manuals to incorporate more effective waste minimization and handling procedures. *top
Asarco RI/FS and Risk Communication, Washington
Provided project oversight assistance from the initial investigations through the Record of Decision. The project included field investigations and sampling, data management, remedial investigation, risk assessment, treatability studies, consideration of applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) and the feasibility study. Also assisted in preparing materials for and participating in public meetings regarding risks and benefits of potential cleanup strategies. Based on the results of the communication efforts, a strategy was developed for the required monitoring and cleanup at the site. *top
USPS Human Health Risk Assessment, Washington
Provided project management assistance on a human health risk assessment for a United States Postal Service (USPS) facility where arsenic contamination was discovered. Provided assistance in communicating the potential risks to employees at the site and communicated with the Washington State Department of Ecology regarding future management of the site. Also developed and documented a site monitoring plan for implementation on behalf of the USPS. *top
Technical Support to US EPA Risk Assessment Forum
Provided technical support to the US EPA Risk Assessment Forum regarding a review and evaluation of alternative methods for establishing benchmarks for methyl mercury in wildlife. *top
Site-Specific Risk Assessments and Risk Communication
Provided management assistance on a number of site-specific risk assessment projects for private clients in the United States and Canada. Projects involved exposure assessments, toxicity assessments and risk characterization along with discussion of uncertainties in the evaluation, and presentations to involved stakeholders. Projects also included site-specific investigations, determination of contaminants of concern, development of conceptual site models, assessment of sampling plans and calculation of site-specific cleanup requirements to satisfy regulatory and health-based requirements. *top
Click here to return to the Projects page.
Copyright © 2003 Environment International Ltd. Contact Us