The Risk Assessment Information System

Using The RAIS

Click here for a graphical representation of the Tutorial modules.


MODULE #1: Introduction

Overview of RAIS

The Risk Assessment Information System (RAIS) disseminates risk tools and supplies information for risk assessment activities. Taking advantage of searchable and executable databases, menu-driven queries, and data downloads using the latest Web technologies, the RAIS offers essential tools and information for the risk assessment process. The RAIS is applicable to diverse users, as most tools can be tailored to meet site-specific needs. More information about the RAIS can be found in the 2023 technical memorandum available here: [add link].

This tutorial is designed to assist the user in understanding and applying available RAIS tools to the risk assessment process. You will be guided through a focused case study that will demonstrate how to utilize many of the tools and information available on the RAIS. Specifically, this tutorial will assist in:

  1. Determining appropriate preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) for screening/comparisons,
  2. Identifying and selecting the chemicals of potential concern (COPCs),
  3. Extracting information for a toxicity assessment,
  4. Calculating risk/hazards, and
  5. Documenting portions of the risk assessment report.

Before beginning this tutorial, a brief overview of risk assessment is provided in the mini tutorial What is Risk Assessment? Additional risk assessment guidance can be found using the links under the Guidance dropdown.

For more hands-on guidance, the RAIS team offers training courses with guided practice sessions. Information on upcoming training can be found here or by selecting the training icon on the RAIS .

The RAIS system undergoes frequent changes to keep all its information up to date. Users can review changes on the What’s New page or subscribe to receive email updates here.


Global Notes

There are a few notes to keep in mind when using the RAIS:

  • When running calculators in site-specific mode, the values in white cells can usually be modified while blue cells often show values that are locked or calculated dynamically and cannot be modified. For example, see the Inhalation Exposure calculation below.

  • Most blue text provides hyperlinks to images or equations. For example, the following image shows hyperlinks to equation images when running the calculators in site-specific mode. Click on the equation label (blue text) to view the entire equation image.

  • The RAIS provides brief instructions for several tools called “mini-guides”, indicated with blue bold text at the top of the tool. Click this link to view the instructions.

  • Footnotes are available for many calculator results. Click these blue numbers (circled in red on image) to view the footnotes.

  • All equations used in the RAIS PRG and Risk Calculators (for Chemicals and Radionuclides) are listed by exposure pathway in Section 4 of the applicable user guide, and equation variables are defined and listed by exposure pathway in Section 6 of the applicable user guide.

  • Make sure to notice the calculation date for calculator output images in this tutorial, as some information (e.g., toxicity values) may have changed since the calculation was performed.


  • Miscellaneous Tools

    Document Search


    The RAIS Document Search tool allows users to search for risk assessment guidance, chemical or radionuclide-specific information, results from previous investigations, and more.


    Glossary


    The RAIS Glossary includes environmental restoration terms with definitions from DOE-ORO Environmental Restoration/Waste Management Risk Assessment Program staff and affiliates and other sources.


    What’s New page


    Changes to toxicity values, physicochemical parameters, ecological screening benchmarks, and ARARs are generally updated throughout the year with a focus on the semiannual updates in May and November. The What’s New page provides monthly updates as far back as February 1996. A key benefit of this feature is to inform users of updates that may impact ongoing risk assessments (e.g., revised toxicity values).


    User Support

    General questions may be submitted through:

    1. the RAIS contact feature at the bottom of each page
    2. the Support link on the upper right of each page
    3. the Staff Listing pages available at the bottom of each page or through the following link at the top right of each page

    For additional guidance, see a list of commonly asked questions from users on the Frequently Asked Questions page (also available by selecting the following link at the top right of each page.



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