Navy Human Health Risk Assessment Web Site

Navy Risk Communication Web Site

Glossary

Select a letter from the list below to view other definitions.

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P R S T U V W

Receptor
The ecological entity exposed to a stressor (i.e., any physical, chemical or biological entity that can induce an adverse response to an individual organism or to an ecosystem) (EPA 1997).

Red Water
Water contaminated with TNT and its breakdown products.

Remedial Investigation (RI)
The RI component of the RI/FS characterizes the nature and extent of contamination at a hazardous waste site and estimates risks to human health and the environment posed by contaminants at the site (EPA 1997).

Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS)
An analytical process designed to support risk management decision-making for Superfund sites (EPA 1997).

Remedial Project Manager (RPM)
Risk manager with the ultimate responsibility for the site, the ecological risk assessment team, the Regional Superfund Biological Technical Assistance Group (BTAG), potentially responsible parties (PRPs), Natural Resource Trustees, and stakeholders in the natural resources at issue (e.g., local communities, state agencies) (EPA 1997).

Remedial Response
Long-term action that stops or substantially reduces a release or threat of a release of hazardous substances that are a serious, but not an immediate, threat to public health (ORNL 1999a).

Resource Conservation and Restoration Act (RCRA)
The Federal law that authorizes the EPA to set standards for companies producing, handling, transporting, storing, and disposing of hazardous wastes (EPA 1999).

Restoration and Compensation Determination Plan
Lists reasonably possible alternatives, and how monies will be used, for restoration, rehabilitation, replacement, and/or acquisition of equivalent resources and related services lost to the public associated with each; selects one of the alternatives and actions required to implement that alternative; provides rationale for the selection of the alternative; and identifies the methodologies that will be used to determine the costs of the selected alternative and compensable value of the services lost to the public associated with the selected alternative.

Restoration Plan
see Restoration and Compensation Determination Plan.

Risk
The likelihood or probability of injury, disease, or death (EPA 1999).

Risk Assessment
Establishes whether a risk is present and defines a range or magnitude of the risk.

Risk Characterization
A phase of ecological risk assessment that integrates the results of the exposure and effects analyses to evaluate the likelihood of adverse ecological affects associated with exposure to the stressor. The ecological significance of the adverse effects is discussed, including consideration of the types and magnitudes of effects, their spatial and temporal patterns, and the likelihood of recovery.

Last Modified: 02/27/2003

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