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Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
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Research & Standards

Risk Assessment Information

Guidance on how to conduct risk assessments for different chemicals, conditions or facilities.
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Table of Contents

Ambient & Indoor Air

Ambient Air Toxics Guidelines 
Methodology for Updating Guidelines: Allowable Ambient Limits & Threshold Effect Exposure Limits 
1995 Ambient Air Exposure Limits (AALs) for Chemicals  
Summary of 1994 Updates: Chemical Health Effects Assessment Methodology & Method To Derive Allowable Ambient Limits (Superseded) 
The Chemical Health Effects Assessment Methodology & The Method To Derive Allowable Ambient Limits (CHEM/AAL), February 1990 
Appendices 
Technical Update: Characterization of Risks Due to Inhalation of Particulates by Construction Workers 
WSC-02-430 Indoor Air Sampling and Evaluation Guide  
Air Quality Policies & Guidance 

Chemical Toxicity

Toxics & Hazards Sources & Types 
Chemical Research & Standards 

Site Cleanup & Facility Assessment - Regulations

Site Cleanup Regulations - See Subpart I (310 CMR 40.0900) 
Homegrown Produce Consumption Pathway: Exposure Assessment for Method 1 Standards  
Plant Uptake Factor Documentation Derivation 
MCP Numerical Standards Derivation (PDF 1.2 MB)
MCP Numerical Standards Development Spreadsheets (ZIP 1.59 MB)

ZIP file containing Excel spreadsheets that calculate the promulgated MCP Numerical Standards found in 310 CMR 40.0900.

Site Cleanup & Facility Assessment - Guidance

WSC/ORS-95-141 Guidance for Disposal Site Risk Characterization Chapters 1-6  
WSC/ORS-95-141 Guidance for Disposal Site Risk Characterization Chapter 7  
WSC/ORS-95-141 Guidance for Disposal Site Risk Characterization Chapters 8-10, Appendices  
Waste & Recycling Policies & Guidance 
A Weight-Of-Evidence Approach For Evaluating Ecological Risks 
WSC-99-300 Guidance on Implementing Activity and Use Limitations 
Top Ten Most Common MCP Risk Characterization Problems (PDF 336.27 KB)

Technical Updates - Human Health Risk Assessment

Technical Update: Expressing the Precision of Exposure Point Concentrations and Risk Estimates in MCP Risk Characterizations 
Technical Update: Default Fish Ingestion Rates and Exposure Assumptions for Human Health Risk Assessments 
Technical Update: Background Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Metals in Soil  
Technical Update: Characterization of Risks Due to Inhalation of Particulates by Construction Workers 
Technical Update: Calculation of an Enhanced Soil Ingestion Rate 
Technical Update: Weighted Skin-Soil Adherence Factors 

Technical Updates - Ecological Risk Assessment

Averaging Area for Benthic Invertebrate Assessments 
Assessment Endpoints for Benthic Invertebrates 
Assessing Risk of Harm to Benthic Invertebrates  
Freshwater Sediment Toxicity Tests 
Revised Sediment Screening Values 
Ecological Value of Surface Water Features  
Area-Based Screening for Sediment Contamination  

Shortforms: Method 3 Human Health Risk Assessment

v0315 - ShortForms for Human Health Risk Assessment under the MCP (ZIP 1.86 MB)
Users Guide: ShortForms for Human Health Risk Assessment under the MCP (PDF 20.21 KB)

Petroleum

VPH/EPH Information - Guidance 
Sediment Toxicity of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Fractions 
MCP Numerical Standards 
DEP's new VPH/EPH approach and methodologies 
TPH Training Overheads (PDF 1.44 MB)
WSC-02-411 Characterizing Risks Posed by Petroleum Contaminated Sites: Implementation of the MADEP VPH/EPH Approach (PDF 460.84 KB)
WSC-02-411 Characterizing Risks Posed by Petroleum Contaminated Sites: Implementation of the MADEP VPH/EPH Approach Background Documentation (PDF 227.69 KB)

Ecological Risks of Lead Shot

Ecological Risks of Lead Shot (PDF 191.68 KB)

General Policies and Guidance

Site Cleanup Policies & Guidance 

Surface Water, Ground Water & Drinking Water Assessments

Drinking Water Regulations & Standards 
US EPA Water: Current Water Quality Criteria 
Revised Sediment Screening Values  
Mercury 
Mercury Related Links 
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