risk assessment process (e.g., selection of acceptable risk levels, and 

 methods for performing local cost-benefit anailyses). 



For specific technical assistance in applying the risk assessment 

 methods described in this manual, users may contact EPA national 

 offices (see the last page of Appendix A) for updated information on 

 regional EPA facilities that can provide on-site assistance in applying 

 risk assessment techniques. 



This manual is not intended as an exhaustive guide to all aspects of 

 sampling, statistical design, laboratory analysis, exposure assessment, 

 and lexicological risk analysis. Citations are provided to references 

 that provide details on these topics. In addition, several other EPA 

 documents that provide relevant information are listed below: 



• U.S. EPA (1987a) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) 

 Manual - A regularly updated electronic database on the 

 toxicity and carcinogenicity of individual chemicals (see Ap- 

 pendix B herein) 



• General guidelines on exposure and risk assessment (U.S. EPA 

 1986a-e). 



• Guidance documents on risk assessment approaches for 

 specific chemicals [e.g., dioxins and dibenzofurans (Bellin and 

 Barnes 1986)]. 



• Superfund Risk Assessment Information Directory (U.S. EPA 

 1986g). 



• Risk Assessment, Management, Communication: A Guide to 

 Selected Sources (U.S. EPA 1987b) - A general bibliography 

 which is updated periodically. 



It should also be noted that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

 Administration (NOAA), FDA, and EPA have recently completed a 

 joint study of PCB contamination in Atlantic coast bluefish and poten- 

 tial human health effects (NOAA, FDA, and EPA 1986, 1987). The 

 design of that study, the statistical analysis of the data, and the estimates 

 of dietary intake of PCBs by bluefish anglers and their families provide 

 examples of some of the concepts illustrated in this guidance manual. 



Environmental quality guidelines may be developed from risk assess- 

 ment models to complement available water quality standards. For 

 example, this manual contains recommended procedures for develop- 

 ing guidelines on concentrations of contaminants in edible tissues of 

 fish and shellfish based on risk assessment. Comparisons of data on 

 tissue concentrations of contaminants with such guidelines may be 

 used by state agencies in regulating the harvest, transportation, and 

 sale offish and shellfish used for human consumption, and in develop- 

 ing health risk advisories. In contrast, state water quality standards are 

 designed to regulate discharges of contaminants to surface waters. 



Relationship of this Manual to 

 Other EPA Documents 



Relationship of Fisheries Risk 

 Assessment to Water Quality 

 Standards 



