Risk Assessment

Biological Technical Assistance Group (BTAG) Screening Values

The Region 3 BTAG Screening Benchmarks are values to be used for the evaluation of sampling data at Superfund sites. These values facilitate consistency in screening level ecological risk assessments throughout Region 3. Additional toxicological information should be considered in Step 3 as provided by the Ecological Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (EPA, 1997).

The tables include compounds for which benchmark values have been established or that are considered bioaccumulative compounds (identified in tables). For additional information on compounds for which no benchmarks are identified and the use of alternate values, please consult the BTAG FAQs specific to these subjects.

Benchmarks for other media will be posted as they become available.

Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs were prepared by the EPA Region 3 BTAG to answer questions and address situations commonly encountered during the ecological risk assessment process for CERCLA sites in Region 3. They were developed to provide key information and approaches that can be applied consistently at a multitude of sites and to help to ensure that all ecological risk assessors working on sites in Region 3 have access to regional BTAG guidance. In most cases the information provided is merely a reiteration or clarification of existing EPA guidance or policy.

The methodologies or approaches described should be viewed as default approaches to be implemented in EPA Region 3.

Region 3 BTAG Members List 

National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
c/o U.S. EPA
Peter Knight
215-814-3321 (Phone)
215-814-3015 (Fax)
peter.knight@noaa.gov
Simeon Hahn
215-814-5419 (Phone)
215-814-3015 (Fax)
simeon.hahn@noaa.gov
 
US EPA
Hazardous Site Cleanup Division
Mail Code 3HS41
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Remote Region 3
Contact Information
Bruce R. Pluta, Coordinator
215-814-2380 (Phone)
215-814-3015 (Fax)
pluta.bruce@epa.gov
Sherry Krest
177 Admiral Cochrane Drive
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-573-4525 (Phone)
410-269-0382
sherry_krest@fws.gov
Jeffrey Tuttle
215-814-3236 (Phone)
215-814-3015 (Fax)
tuttle.jeffrey@epa.gov
John McCloskey
6669 Short Lane
Gloucester, VA 23061

804-824-2404 (Phone)
804-693-9032 (Fax)
john_mccloskey@fws.gov

Katie Matta 
215-814-3358 (Phone)
215-814-3015 (Fax)
matta.katie@epa.gov
Kathy Patnode
c/o U.S. EPA

110 Radnor Rd, Suite 101
State College, PA  16801
814-234-4090 ext 7450
kathleen_patnode@fws.gov

Matt Taynor
215-814-3351 (Phone)
215-814-3015 (Fax)
taynor.matthew@epa.gov
Fred Pinkney
177 Admiral Cochrane Drive
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-573-4544 (Phone)
410-269-0382 (Fax)
fred_pinkney@fws.gov