ABSTRACT
Risk assessments are used to determine whether there is (or may be) a threat to the public health or the environment. An assessment of the risks that chemicals pose to living organisms — humans, other animals, or plants — must be based on substantial knowledge of chemicals and their interaction with the life form which may be exposed to these chemicals. A chemical investigation of the past, current, or potential activities on the site is conducted to evaluate the chemical environment and determine whether a release of hazardous or toxic materials has occurred, or is likely to occur.
