Ecological Guidelines

EPA's Risk Assessment Guidelines were developed to help guide EPA scientists in assessing ecological risks to human health from chemicals or other agents in the environment. They also inform EPA decision makers and the general public about these procedures.

EPA published an initial set of five risk assessment guidelines (relating to cancer, mutagenic effects, developmental effects, exposure assessment, and chemical mixtures) in 1986 as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences. EPA continues to revise its risk assessment guidelines and to develop new guidelines as experience and scientific understanding evolve.

EPA Ecological Guidelines

• Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment
• Stressor Identification Guidance Document
• Exposure Factors Handbook
• Wildlife Exposure Factors Handbook

Additional Information

• Summary Report on Issues in Ecological Risk Assessment
• Report on the Ecological Risk Assessment Guidelines Strategic Planning Workshop
• Ecological Risk Assessment Issue Papers
• Generic Ecological Assessment Endpoints (GEAE) for Ecological Risk Assessment
• Peer Review Workshop Report on Ecological Risk Assessment Issue Papers
• Peer Review Workshop Report on a Framework for Ecological Risk Assessment
• Review of Ecological Assessment Case Studies from a Risk Assessment Perspective Volume I
• Review of Ecological Assessment Case Studies from a Risk Assessment Perspective Volume II