Impact/Purpose:

The primary objective of the research program is to develop, test, and apply a multimedia, multi-pathway, multi-receptor exposure and risk assessment modeling system (the 3MRA) and accompanying methodologies to assess uncertainty and to support regulatory-based applications.

Description:

As a result of their regulatory reform efforts, the Office of Solid Waste (OS) has recently (11/99) introduced a new open-architecture, multimedia, multi-pathway, and multi-receptor exposure and risk assessment methodology designed to support their Hazardous Waste Identification Rule (HWIR). The new modeling system, dubbed 3MRA technology, is envisioned as the foundation for eventually integrating other regulatory support decision tool needs anticipated in the future. Toward that end, and with the goal of integrating predictive modeling needs across the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSIER) rule-makings and a variety of other agency Program Office regulatory thrusts, there is a need to build upon the 3MRA technology system in several directions. Among these are 1) a collection of science support research activities focused on improving, and making more realistic, some of the existing physical, chemical, and biological processes algorithms found in the current system; 2) adapting the methodology for use at larger spatial scales, or for use in concert with larger spatial scale modeling systems; 3) adding provisions to make the methodology applicable to a variety of related regulatory support problems such as the surface impoundment study and other emerging needs (e.g., mining waste, RCRA Corrective Action, waste management/leaching/modeling, etc.); 4) adding the front-end capability for the user to input data for a specific site; 5) enhancing the technology with more comprehensive uncertainty assessment capabilities; 6) implementing a comprehensive independent testing and validation program; and 7) establishing an easily accessible, Internet-based distribution and support network for the user community.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT

Completion Date:09/30/2001

OMB Category:Other

Record ID: 56177

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Project Information:

Progress :Two significant achievements have occurred during FY00. First, the 3MRA Technology has been developed and applied to produce draft exemption levels for 36 chemicals of interest to OSW within the HWIR (APM 572). Secondly, a multi-Agency workshop has been conducted resulting in an agreement among modelers representing DoE, DoD, NRC, and EPA as to specific requirements related to multi-media modeling systems.

TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM:

04-JUN-01 Laniak, G.L., Ambrose, R.B., Jr., Brown, D.S., Weber, E.J., Schwede, D., and LeDuc, S. ORD Response to public and peer review comments for the Hazardous Waste Identification Rule (HWIR). 2001. APG 016, APM 198.



Relevance :The Agency's rule-making activities have reached the point where single chemical, single media, independent assessments for human and ecological targets are no longer adequate. The 3MRA methodology is one of the first successful attempts to assemble an integrated multimedia assessment approach involving both human and ecological impacts in a consistent package using the Agency's strategic goal of applying the risk assessment paradigm as the underlying theme. An upgraded 3MRA modeling system is needed to correct remaining elements of over-regulation in the present system of requirements for safe disposal of hazardous wastes. Specifically the 3MRA will serve as the scientific basis for establishing safe exit levels for certain waste streams from Subtitle C disposal requirements. It has been estimated that this new regulatory approach will save hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Also, in a modified version, multimedia analyses can be performed for other RCRA problems. This work is needed to meet the Subobjective statement to "provide multimedia exposure and risk models for estimating the risk from waste facilities".

While the 3MRA and its HWIR heritage focus on site-scale analyses, ORD's other strategic planning elements envision development of more broadly applicable assessment tools of similar nature that would also be suitable for addressing much larger spatial scale problems. Some of these would involve screening level analyses, some would call for very detailed analyses, and the total collection of analysis would encompass a wide variety of regulatory scenarios. In the larger scheme of developmental efforts, the progress made on the 3MRA will feed into the development of these more comprehensive assessment tools such as the Multimedia Integrated Modeling System (MIMS) and also into the overall model development integration effort. The 3MRA modeling system is envisioned as the component of choice to represent the impact of waste site features on the larger spatial landscapes under consideration in NEAL's TRACE (TMDL protocol development support), BASE (sustainable ecosystems assessment modeling) and MIMS model development programs. It is expected that some of the 3MRA system design attributes and databases will be directly transferable to those programs. The bottom line is to eventually supply the assessment tools needed to underpin a self consistent set of regulatory thrusts across all media and programs to the extent that is possible.

Clients :Office of Solid Waste, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, and EPA Regions

Project IDs:

ID Code :5556

Project type :OMIS