Draft Human Health Risk Assessment Expected in May

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expects to release the draft Upper Columbia Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) in May. This is a critical milestone to completing the Remedial Investigation phase of the on-going Upper Columbia RI/FS (Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study).

Several years in the making, EPA describes the HHRA as “the process to estimate the nature and probability of adverse health effects in humans who may be exposed to chemicals in contaminated environmental media, now or in the future.”

Once finalized, the HHRA will help determine the need for cleanup or other remedial measures to reduce contaminant exposure and protect public health.

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Review and Public Comment

WHEN WILL I KNOW IT IS AVAILABLE?

The Forum will send out an electronic newsletter notice. If you do not currently receive this newsletter, sign-up at www.lrf.org/enews. 

WHERE CAN I REVIEW AND DOWNLOAD?

To check status and availability, go to www.lrf.org/draftHHRA. This link will redirect you to an EPA web site for a status report and, when available, a link to download the draft HHRA.

WILL EPA PROVIDE PUBLIC MEETINGS REVIEWING THE DRAFT HHRA?Yes. Due to COVID-19, public meetings will occur via webinars on June 10

and July 15th from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EPA will promote webinars and

how to connect via all available options, e.g. – post card mailings, newspaper advertisements and stakeholder groups. The Forum will promote via electronic newsletter notice.

WILL THERE BE A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD?

Yes. EPA will accept feedback on the draft HHRA from May 18 to July 24. Instructions on how to submit comments will be added to the EPA site webpage: https://www.epa.gov/columbiariver/upper-columbia-river-remedial-investigation-feasibility-study

WILL ANY OTHER INFORMATION BE PROVIDED?

Yes. The Forum is committed to releasing a Draft HHRA Public Guide summarizing information before conclusion of the public comment period.