Step 1.3 Reviewing and Evaluating Environmental Data

Introduction

When analyzing exposure pathways, available laboratory analysis of soil, water, air, and food samples must be reviewed and evaluated. This “environmental data” should describe the amount of each chemical found, the number of samples collected, when and where each sample was collected, when each sample was analyzed, and any other information needed to evaluate the quality of the data. This information is used to select the chemicals that need further evaluation and to determine what additional data are needed.

To view the two key uses of environmental data, see below.

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Selecting chemicals for further study

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Defining the nature and extent of contamination

Page last reviewed: May 31, 2016