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FRAMEWORK FOR INORGANIC METALS RISK ASSESSMENT
Citation:
FAIRBROTHER, A., R. WENTSEL, W. P. WOOD, K. G. SAPPINGTON, AND P. NOYES. FRAMEWORK FOR INORGANIC METALS RISK ASSESSMENT. Presented at SETAC North America annual meeting, Montreal, QC, CANADA, November 05 - 09, 2006.
Description:
The EPA has prepared a framework to guide risk assessors in assessing human and ecological risks of inorganic metals. Metals and metal compounds have properties not generally encountered with organic chemicals. For example, metals are neither created nor destroyed by biological and chemical processes, rather they are transformed from one chemical species to another; some metals are essential elements; metals always occur with other metals and are interdependent in their actions; and bioavailability of metals to humans and ecological receptors raises complex issues. The Framework is a science-based document that identifies these and other special attributes and behavior of inorganic metals and metal compounds and provides a guide for what should be addressed when assessing their risks. It provides a consistent approach across the Agency for conducting assessments of hazard and risks from metals in the environment.