Abstract  One of the potential exposure pathways of concern when assessing human exposures to environmental contaminants is the ingestion of contaminated foods. Individuals who live near contaminated sites and who grow their own food may be at a higher risk than the general population. Estimating exposures to this subpopulation requires an analysis of homegrown food intake rates. The Nationwide Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) 1987-1988 data were used to generate intake rates for home-produced foods. Results of the analysis show that, among the general population, homegrown vegetables (18%) were the most commonly consumed of the major food groups, followed by fruit (8%), meat (5%), fish (2%), and dairy products (0.8%). The intake rates for the major food groups vary according to region, age, urbanization, and race. In general, intake rates of home-produced foods are higher among populations in non-metropolitan and suburban areas and lowest in central city areas.

Abstract  This publication contains estimates of food and nutrient intakes by individuals residing in households in the 48 conterminous States and Washington, D.C., based on data from the 1987-88 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. One-day food and nutrient intake data for 10,172 individuals of all ages were collected between April 1987 and August 1988. The data, collected using a 1-day recall in a personal interview, are provided in six tables. Food and nutrient intake data are tabulated for individuals by sex and age, region, income level, and race. For 64 food groups and subgroups, mean quantities of foods eaten per individual in a day and percentages of individuals who reported eating any food from the specified food groups and subgroups are presented. Also presented are tables of the mean intakes of food energy and nutrients; the percentages of total food energy from protein, total fat, fatty acids, and carbohydrate; and nutrient intakes expressed as percentages of the 1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances. Response rates were very low, approximately 31 percent at the individual level, and the possibility of nonresponse bias cannot be disregarded.

Abstract  RAGS Part A is one of a three-part series: Part B addresses the development of risk-based preliminary remediation goals; and Part C addresses human health risk evaluations of remedial alternatives. RAGS Part A: Human Health Evaluation Manual provides guidance on the human health evaluation activities that are conducted during the baseline risk assessment - the first step of the Remedial Investigation/Feasibilty Study (RI/FS). The baseline risk assessment is an analysis of the potential adverse health effects (current or future) caused by hazardous substance releases from a site in the absence of any actions to control or mitigate these releases (i.e., under an assumption of no action). The baseline risk assessment contributes to the site characterization and subsequent development, evaluation, and selection of appropriate response alternatives. The results of the baseline risk assessment are used to help determine whether additional response action is necessary at the site, modify preliminary remediation goals, help support selection of the "no- action" remedial alternative, where appropriate, and document the magnitude of risk at a site, and the primary causes of that risk. Baseline risk assessments are site-specific and therefore may vary in both detail and the extent to which qualitative and quantitative analyses are used, depending on the complexity and particular circumstances of the site, as well as the availability of applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) and other criteria, advisories, and guidance. After an initial planning stage, there are four steps in the baseline risk assessment process: data collection and analysis; exposure assessment; toxicity assessment; and risk characterization. The potential users of Part A are the individuals actually conducting health risk assessments for sites, who frequently are contractors to the EPA, other federal agencies, states, or potentientially responsible parties. It is also targeted to EPA staff, including those responsible for review and oversight of risk assessments (e.g. technical staff in the regions) and those responsible for ensuring adequate evaluations of human health risks (i.e., RPMs).

Abstract  This decision document presents the selected remedial action for the K-1407-B Holding Pond and the K-1407-C Retention Basin, which are part of the K-1407 OU of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) K-25 Site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This final source control action is intended to reduce the potential threats to human health and the environment posed by residual metal, radiological, and volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination within the K-1407-B/C Ponds. The major components of the selected remedy for the K-1407-B/C Ponds include: placement of clean soil and rock fill for isolation and shielding, maintenance of institutional controls, and groundwater monitoring to assess performance of the action and to develop information for use in reviewing the effectiveness of this remedy.

Abstract  Intake of home-produced foods may be a concern in areas where chemical contamination exists. Estimating exposure to contaminants in home-produced foods requires knowledge of the amount of these foods consumed. The US Environmental Protection Agency's (US EPA's) Exposure Factors Handbook provides data on consumption of home-produced foods based on the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) 1987-1988 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey (NFCS), the most recent national food survey that contains the information necessary to estimate home-produced consumption. These data represent "consumer-only" intake rate distributions for various age and demographic categories. "Consumers-only" information is also provided for households who garden, farm, and raise animals for all age groups combined. However, these "consumer-only" values may not always be appropriate when assessing chronic exposures. Furthermore, data for all ages combined may not be useful for estimating exposure among age groups that may be of particular concern. This paper provides age-specific "per capita" intake rate distributions of home-produced foods specifically for the populations that garden, farm, and raise animals, using data from EPA's Exposure Factors Handbook.

Abstract  This report provides a set of early-life stage age groups for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, or the Agency) scientists to consider when assessing children's exposure to environmental contaminants and the resultant potential dose. These recommended age groups are based on current understanding of differences in behavior and physiology that may impact exposures in children. A consistent set of early-life age groups, supported by an underlying scientific rationale, is expected to improve Agency exposure and risk assessments for children by increasing the consistency and comparability of risk assessments across the Agency, improving accuracy and transparency in assessments for those cases where current practice might too broadly combine behaviorally and physiologically disparate age groups, and fostering a consistent approach to future exposure surveys and monitoring efforts to generate improved exposure factors for children.