chemsteer chem ical s creening t ool for e xposures & e nvironmental r eleases

ChemSTEERChemical Screening Tool for Exposures & Environmental

Releases

Scott Prothero

US EPA

AIHCE

May 25, 2000

What Will You Learn Today?

Background / Context Computer Requirements Premises / Methods Inputs / Outputs Applications Status / Availability

What does ChemSTEER do?

In the absence of exposure data…

Estimates potential inhalation, dermal exposures to workers Estimates potential releases to air, water, land

... for a chemical in industrial and commercial operations.

Why Did EPA Develop ChemSTEER?

Initially developed for use in EPA New Chemicals Program risk screening process

Computerizes established methods and models

Tool for non-EPA use

What Do You Need to Run ChemSTEER?

Technical info and data on chemical and operation(s)

Understanding of methods

IBM- compatible computer 10 MB storage, 16 MB RAM

Windows 95 or newer

How Do You Use ChemSTEER?

Choose Operations

Input Data on Chemical

Input Site Data and Info

Choose default models and parameters or other options

What Methods Are in ChemSTEER? Vapor Generation Models for filling, open pools of liquid “Box Model” for Inhalation Dermal models Container/ equip. residuals

Non-ideal behavior Established exposure limits Industry- specific “generic scenarios”

Current

Future

What Are Some Example Inputs?

Volume Handled or Produced Operation Types (Uses) Molecular Weight, Vapor Pressure Weight Fractions Numbers of Sites, Workers Release Sources/Worker Activities Ventilation Rates Container Volumes

What Are Some Example Outputs?

Exposures LADD & mg/day inhaled, available for absorption through skin

Releases kg/day, kg/year to air, water, land, incineration

What Are Its Applications? Prevent Pollution / Reduce Exposure & Risk

Identify & Prioritize Process “Problems” (esp. pre-design)

Examine Tradeoffs: Occupational & Non-occupational Impacts

Link to E-FAST: Tool for Non-occupational Exposures beyond Plant Boundaries

What is Its Status & Availability?

Use now for Demos only User-defined operations only

Release Goal: Summer 2000 Add industry-specific operations, methods, user manual, user friendliness, peer review in 2000-01

EPA Exposure Homepage: www.epa.gov/opptintr/exposure

General info on ChemSTEER and other tools related to human and environmental exposures, fate, and risks Describes the exposure assessment process Download available tools