Basic Course: Supplemental Topics

Risk Assessment for Noncancer Effects: Other Terms in the Equation

The remaining terms in the equation for deriving noncancer human health AWQC are consistent across all three equations, except for RSC, which is also used in the equation for nonlinear cancer effects but not for the equation for linear cancer effects.

Exposure

RSC = Relative Source Contribution (%, to account for other sources of exposure).
BW = Human Body Weight (70 kg for average adult).
DI = Drinking Water Intake (2 L/day for average adult).
FI = Fish Intake (kg/day).

Bioaccumulation

BAF = Bioaccumulation Factor (L/kg).

Note that details about exposure and bioaccumulation terms are presented later in this module, following this section that focuses on the three equations used to calculate human health AWQC.

Disclaimer:
For informational purposes only–Not official statements of EPA policy.