ABSTRACT
Risk assessment is used by federal and state regulatory agencies for implementation of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) laws at contaminated sites. Effective use of a risk-based remediation strategy helps to focus environmental cleanup dollars on those areas of the site identified in the risk assessment as potentially presenting unacceptable risks. Risk assessments developed for CERCLA- and RCRA-regulated sites must be generally consistent with the various U.S. EPA guidance documents for conducting risk assessments to promote successful regulatory agency acceptance. However, strict adherence to U.S. EPA guidance is generally not conducive to developing site-specific information; deviation to address site-specific conditions and considerations is recommended and desirable.
