Advanced Methods for Dose-Response Assessment: Bayesian Approaches—Final Report

Resources for the Future (RFF), in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Society for Risk Analysis, and the Electric Power Research Institute, held a workshop September 18–20, 2000, at the RFF Conference Center in Washington, D.C. The intent was to discuss how Bayesian approaches could be useful in improving techniques for estimating exposure–response functions. Ten distinguished scholars from a range of fields (medical biostatistics, decision sciences, environmental engineering, and toxicology) served as faculty. Approximately 80 people attended the workshop. Bayesian methods have been applied to a variety of problems in biomedical research and environmental risk analysis, including design of clinical trials, estimation of exposures to humans and local environments, and, in a few cases, estimation of exposure–response functions. Bayesian methods offer two signal advantages: their use requires careful analysis of problem logic, which has intrinsic utility, and disparate data can be incorporated into calculations. Although application of formal Bayesian analysis can be computationally challenging, widely available computer programs now greatly reduce this burden. Participants identified several factors that may impede the dissemination of Bayesian approaches among practitioners of dose–response assessment and made some recommendations for overcoming these hurdles. EPA, other regulatory agencies that use dose–response assessment as part of their processes, and the private sector all should take steps to foster the use of Bayesian approaches. EPA and other agencies should work to persuade professional societies (for example, Society for Risk Analysis, Society of Toxicology) to seek out and recognize meritorious analyses that use Bayesian approaches. EPA and private-sector organizations should consider sponsoring research into using Bayesian approaches, demonstration analyses that use them, and using the results of this work to help educate peers in the risk analysis and toxicology professions. EPA should request all staff and contractor scientists who develop mathematical models to use Bayesian techniques to calibrate models. EPA should consider ways to inform its staff, contractors, and the research community as to the utility of Bayesian analyses. EPA should consider improving its research planning by making use of Bayesian techniques (including value-of-information analyses).Bayesian analysis, dose–response, regulation, risk assessment, arsenic

Workshop Report: Advancing the Art of Analyzing Risks and Benefits of Dredged Material Management

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been delegated responsibility for assuring the navigability of waters designated for that purpose in the United States. Dredging is among the activities required to fulfill this responsibility. In some places, the Corps finds difficulty in carrying out dredging projects because it lacks spaces where the sediments that must be removed (“dredged materials”) can be placed or otherwise managed. In these cases, the public has expressed concerns about the impacts of dredged materials on the environment, either underwater or on land (“upland”). Thus, the Corps often finds it necessary to be able to evaluate and describe the costs or risks and the benefits of the possible alternatives that may be available. Scientists and engineers at the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, MS, are responsible for advising Corps District and Division project managers concerning methods to evaluate these risks and benefits. The ERDC asked Resources for the Future (RFF) to organize a workshop for key management and technical people within the Corps and selected outside experts to explore directions the Corps might take in order to improve those methods.dredging, risk, benefit, cost, analysis, characterization, accidents, mixtures, sediments, non-use benefits, decision tools

Reconstruction of contaminant trends in a salt wedge estuary with sediment cores dated using a multiple proxy approach

The Taunton River is a partially mixed tidal estuary in southeastern Massachusetts (USA) which has received significant contaminant inputs, yet little information exists on the history of discharge and the subsequent fate of these contaminants. Three sediment cores taken along a transect were analyzed, reconstructing the spatial and temporal trends of pollution in the estuary. A combination of radiometric dating, contaminant markers, and storm layers from major hurricanes were used to establish age models and sedimentation rates. Age estimates obtained from the different dating methods compared well, establishing an accurate history of contaminant release to the estuary. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were present in one core at depths corresponding to the early 1860s, earlier than previously established dates of introduction. Temporal and spatial trends of Cr, Cu, Hg and Pb indicated multiple sources of varying input to the river. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were present in each of the cores from the 1930s onward, with elevated levels still present in surficial sediments at several sites. A unique organic compound, Topanol, which was produced locally was used as a tracer to track contaminant transport in the river. Tracer data indicates that contaminants are still being transported and deposited to surficial sediments at high concentrations well after their discharge. This reconstruction demonstrates the utility of using multiple dating proxies where often the sole use of radiometric dating techniques is not an option and provides insights into the fate of contaminants discharged decades ago but continue to represent environmental risks

The 20th Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments and Water

Conference at a Glance Monday, October 18, 2004 Workshops (Workshop #1: 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Workshops #2-3: 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Workshops #4-5: 1:00-5:00 pm, Workshop #6: 2:00-5:00 pm) Workshop #1: Modeling Vapor Attenuation Workshop: A Study of Vapor Intrusion Modeling in the Context of EPA’s Guidance Workshop # 2: Theory and Use of Field Portable X-ray Fluorescence for Soil Analysis Workshop #3: In-Situ Chemical Oxidation Workshop Workshop #4: The Triad Approach to Managing Decision Uncertainty for Better Cleanup Projects Workshops #5: The Role of Anaerobic Biodegradation Process in Passive and Enhanced Monitored Natural Attenuation Programs Workshop #6: Environmental Fate of Hydrocarbons in Soils and Groundwater Tuesday, October 19, 2004 Platform Presentations 8:30am – Noon Session 1: Environmental Biotechnology Session 2: Heavy Metals at Training Ranges Session 3: Site Assessment Session 4: Bioremediation of Acid Mine Drainage and Removal of Metals 1:30 – 5:30pm Session 1: Environmental Terrorism Session 2: Remediation I Session 3: Phytoremediation Session 4: Heavy Metals Poster Session 4:00 – 6:00pm Social 4:30 – 6:00pm. Exhibit Area, First Floor Campus Center Workshops (Evening, 7:00 – 10:00pm) Workshop #1: Modeling Vapor Attenuation Workshop: A Study of Vapor Intrusion Modeling in the Context of EPA’s Guidance (Continued) Workshop #7: Asbestos and the MCP Workshop #8: Policy Issues in Inter-Agency Coordination Workshop #9: In-Situ Thermal Remediation Wednesday, October 20, 2004 Platform Presentations 8:30am – Noon Session 1: In-Situ Chemical Oxidation Session 2: Oxygenates Session 3: Bioindicators/Biomarkers of Environmental Health: Concepts and Application Session 4: Pay-for-Performance Remediation Technologies - Methods & Case Studies of Science & Economics 1:30 – 5:30pm Session 1: Risk Assessment and Remedial Approaches Towards Restoration and Management of Contaminated Rivers Session 2: Arsenic Session 3a: Analysis Session 3b: Pesticides Session 3c: Indoor Air Session 4: Bioremediation Poster Session 4:00 – 6:00pm Social 4:30 – 6:00pm. Exhibit Area, First Floor Campus Center Workshops (Evening, 7:00 – 10:00pm) Workshop #10: An Introduction to the Use and Application of Gene Chips in Environmental Toxicology and Implications for Their Use as Biomarkers in Contaminated Sites Evaluations Workshop #11: Latest Developments in Managing Perchlorate in Soils and Groundwater Workshop #12: Vapor Intrusion into Indoor Air Workshop: MADEP Requirements, Background Levels, Case Studies and More Workshop #13: Exploring Innovative and Cost-Effective Solutions to Contaminated Sediments to Achieve Ecological Restoration of the Lower Neponset River Workshop #14: Environmental Forensics Workshop Thursday, October 21, 2004 Platform Presentations 8:30am – Noon Session 1: Environmental Forensics Session 2a: Legal Issues Session 2b: Modeling Session 3: Perchlorate Session 4: Risk Assessment and Bioavailability 1:30 – 5:30pm Session 1: Remediation II Session 2: Sediments Session 3: Regulator

Mass balance and 3D model of PAHs in Boston's inner harbor

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1998.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-199).by Ricardo N. Petroni, Peter H. Israelsson.M.Eng

The Cape Cod Breast Cancer and Environment Study: Results of the First Three Years of Study

This publication summarizes the results of our first phase of research in the Cape Cod Breast Cancer and Environment Study