Protecting Public Health and the Environment.
DEQ's "Risk Evaluation Manual" - or REM - presents a roadmap for evaluating risk, from discovery through cleanup, to determine whether ground water, surface water, or soil at a particular location is contaminated to the extent it poses a human health risk. The manual guides DEQ employees and others in responding when chemicals are released to the environment. It helps evaluate whether an investigation or cleanup is needed and, if so, what its scope and nature should be and thereby provides a consistent method for addressing contamination.
When contamination does occur, it is important to determine whether it presents a health risk. Contamination in ground water can pollute drinking water. Contaminated rivers and lakes can poison fish or waterfowl. Contaminated soils can release harmful vapors into the air.
The manual consists of 12 sections and 14 appendices. Section 2.0 presents a brief description of the steps in the risk evaluation process. Sections 3.0 and 4.0 present general information related to data requirements and implementation of the risk evaluation process. The next seven sections present details of each of the steps in the process. The final section provides a list of references cited and additional useful references.
The appendices contain a large amount of information to assist in implementation of the evaluation process. This information includes:
The following three spreadsheets are also provided to assist in evaluating risk:
The manual and software may be downloaded after registering (name, agency, and email address). Registration enables DEQ to notify all users when updates or additions become available, thereby ensuring all users have access to the most current information at all times. Copies of the manual and accompanying software are also available electronically.
Training on the manual is offered periodically throughout the year. Registering for the download of the manual and software automatically includes you on DEQ's Risk Evaluation Training Notification List. Once training is available, you will be notified by email. If you already have the manual and software and wish to be included on the training list, call or e-mail Teri Gregory, DEQ State Office, at (208) 373-0502 or teri.gregory@deq.idaho.gov.
EPA has discontinued discussions regarding the toxicity of the chemicals 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, and 2-methylnaphthalene. Until there is more clarity about these chemicals of concern, DEQ will no longer consider 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, and 2-methylnaphthalene when applying REM to assess health risks at contaminated sites.
A public comment period was held August 3-31, 2011, on a separate draft Risk Evaluation Manual for Petroleum Releases to implement the Standards and Procedures for Application of Risk Based Corrective Action at Petroleum Release Sites (IDAPA 58.01.24), which were codified in May 2009, and the rule revisions proposed under Docket No. 58-0124-1101.
The document includes a draft manual and software. The draft manual provides guidance on evaluating potential risks to human health and the environment resulting from petroleum releases and implementing corrective action measures to mitigate those effects, if needed. The draft software limits the chemicals evaluated to only those specified in the rule, modifies calculations that involve inhalation risk, and adds appropriate toxicity factor values. In addition, it incorporates EPA recommendations on calculation of risk and chemical-specific fate and transport property values.
Voluntary Cleanup Program ManagerBruce WicherskiDEQ State OfficeWaste Management & Remediation Division1410 N. HiltonBoise, ID 83706(208) 373-0246bruce.wicherski@deq.idaho.gov
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