RAGS Part A provides guidance on the human health evaluation activities that are conducted during the baseline risk assessment--the first step of the RI/FS. The baseline risk assessment is an analysis of the potential adverse health effects (current or future) caused by hazardous substance releases from a site in the absence of any actions to control or mitigate these releases (i.e., under an assumption of no action). The baseline risk assessment contributes to the site characterization and subsequent development, evaluation, and selection of appropriate response alternatives. The results of the baseline risk assessment are used to help determine whether additional response action is necessary at the site, modify preliminary remediation goals, help support selection of the "no- action" remedial alternative, where appropriate, and document the magnitude of risk at a site, and the primary causes of that risk. 

Baseline risk assessments are site-specific and therefore may vary in both detail and the extent to which qualitative and quantitative analyses are used, depending on the complexity and particular circumstances of the site, as well as the availability of applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) and other criteria, advisories, and guidance. After an initial planning stage, there are four steps in the baseline risk assessment process: data collection and analysis; exposure assessment; toxicity assessment; and risk characterization. 
 

 

Section	Pages	Size
Table of Contents/Preface	16 pages	93K
Chapter 1:  Introduction	12 pages	384K
Chapter 2:  Statutes, Regulations, Guidance, and Studies Relevant to the Human Health Evaluation	12 pages	371K
Chapter 3:  Getting Started: Planning for the Human Health Evaluation in the RI/FS	4 pages	23K
Chapter 4:  Data Collection	25 pages	1MB
Chapter 5:  Data Evaluation	29 pages	1MB
Chapter 6:  Exposure Assessment  Sections 6.1 -- 6.3.3, Text Only   Sections 6.1 -- 6.3.3, Exhibits   Sections 6.3.4 -- 6.6.1, Text Only   Sections 6.3.4 -- 6.6.1, Exhibits   Sections 6.6.2 -- References, Text Only   Sections 6.6.2 -- References, Exhibits	8 pages 9 pages 14 pages 4 pages 6 pages 14 pages	55K 659K 74K 293K 35K 1.5MB
Chapter 7:  Toxicity Assessment	23 pages	772K
Chapter 8:  Risk Characterization, Text Only  Risk Characterization, Exhibits	22 pages 9 pages	913K 1.5MB
Chapter 9:  Documentation, Review, and Management Tools for the Assessor, Reviewer, and Manager	18 pages	77K
Chapter 10:  Radiation Risk Assessment Guidance	37 pages	1MB
Appendix A:  Adjustments for Absorption Efficiency	4 pages	18K
Appendix B:  Index	12 pages	38K

Disclaimer: These electronic files contain the text of a policy issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These files have been reformatted to make them available to you in electronic form. Formatting (margins, page numbering, etc.) may be different than the original hard copy to make the document more easily readable on your computer screen. These electronic files are a courtesy copy of the official policy. If any discrepancies are found, the file copy (hard copy original) which resides at the U.S. EPA provides the official policy.

From URL: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/risk/ragsa/index.htm
This page was last updated on: May 12, 1999