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page title goes here Risk Assessment

SPRG What's New

The What's New section keeps users informed of toxicity value changes, exposure parameter changes, chemical-specific parameter changes, and any equation format changes. Please check this site frequently to be advised of any recent changes.

March 2020

May 2018

  • While running the user provided option in site-specific mode, the calculator was showing duplicate records for C, H, Hg, I, Ni, Ru, S, and Te elemental isotopes. These duplicate records have been removed.

October 2017

  • The +D and +E isotopes have been removed from the selection list. Now, a user may select the 'Assume secular equilibrium' to see PRG output for the entire chain. When the secular equilibrium SPRG output option is selected, the SPRG Calculator now gives the option to show the individual progeny contributions for the SPRG (and risk) output.

January 2017

September 2015

  • The mechanical PEF equations were updated to represent new particle size multipliers (k-pp) for public paved roads from the 2011 AP 42 for Paved Roads.

January 2015

  • The EPA has updated the emission factor equations for paved roads found in AP-42. The documentation of changes is presented in Emission Factor Documentation for AP-42, Section 13.2.1 Paved Roads. The changes are centered around the denominator in the SPRG PEF equations, involving the functions of silt loading and vehicle weight. In addition, the emission factor of exhaust, brake, and tire wear was removed to eliminate the possibility of double counting emissions. These changes will result in new default mechanical PEFs.
  • Evaluation of the AP-42 updates led to the investigation of the Q/Cm usage in calculating the five mechanical PEFs used in the SPRG equations. It was decided that the Q/C defaults for A, B, and C dispersion constants from EPA 2002 would be used for all mechanical PEFs. This results in the Q/Cm being based on the Inverse of the ratio of the 1-h geometric mean air concentration and the emission flux along a straight road segment bisecting a square site.

December 2014

  • The silt loading factors (SLFs), by roadway class, have been updated with values from 2011 National Emissions Inventory, version 1 Technical Support Document June 2014 - DRAFT , Table 63, Page 104, concerning paved roads. Also new daily vehicle kilometers traveled and length of roadway classes have been updated. The source websites are annual vehicle kilometers traveled and length. The SLFs for urban collector roadway class are used for both major and minor collector roadway classes. Also, the rural interstate roadway class SLFs were used for the "other freeways and expressways" roadway class.

September 2014

  • This calculator follows the recommendations in the OSWER Directive concerning use of exposure parameters from the 2011 Exposure Factors Handbook.
  • New slope factors have been programmed that were derived following FGR 12 and 13 using the updated isotope list from ICRP 107. Cancer slope factors (SFs) used are provided by the Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge. The main report is Calculations of Slope Factors and Dose Coefficients, and the tables of slope factors are in a separate appendix.
  • A forward risk assessment option was added to the calculator page. By selecting this option, the user is asked for media concentrations and the risk is returned using SPRG equation inputs.
  • Source depth-specific area correction factors (ACFs) are now provided. Unique ACFS are now given for the various DCFs (ground plane, 1 cm, 5 cm, 15 cm, and infinite depth). For further information on the derivation of the isotope-specific/area-specific ACF values for 2-D areas, see the Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge ACF report and appendix containing +D and +E values.
  • The radionuclide decay chains, provided in the calculator output, have been updated to reflect new decay information provided in ICRP 107. In addition to tabular results, a visual diagram is provided depicting the branching fractions.

March 2011

  • New generic tables are now available that address the issues listed in the previous entry.
  • The calculator results, presented in Becquerels, were modified to correct a units conversion problem.

August 2010

  • Many updates were performed to establish consistency with other calculators. These updates are mainly in appearance and in functionality.