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a <br /> Both the TSCA Section 403 and OSWER programs use a flexible, <br /> tiered approach. The OSWER guidance sets a residential screening <br /> level at 400 ppm. As noted above, this is not intended to be a <br /> "cleanup level" for CERCLA and RCRA facilities, but only to serve <br /> as an indicator that further study is appropriate. The Section <br /> 403 guidance indicates that physical exposure-reduction <br /> activities may be appropriate at 400 ppm, depending upon site- <br /> specific conditions such as use patterns, populations at risk and <br /> other factors. Although wordecT somewhat differently, the <br /> guidances are intended to be similar in effect. For neither <br /> guidance is 400 ppm to automatically be considered a "cleanup <br /> level"; instead, it indicates a need for considering further <br /> action, but not necessarily for taking action. Neither is meant <br /> to indicate that cleanup is necessarily appropriate at 400 ppm. <br /> The greater emphasis in this OSWER guidance on determining the <br /> scope of further study reflects the fact that both CERCLA and <br /> RCRA cleanups proceed in stages with detailed site <br /> characterization preceding response actions in every case. <br /> Above the 400 ppm level, the Section 403 guidance identifies <br /> ranges over which various types of responses are appropriate, <br /> commensurate with the level of potential risk reduction, and cost <br /> incurred to achieve such risk reduction. For example, in the <br /> range of 400 to 5000 ppm, limited interim controls are <br /> recommended depending, as noted above, on conditions at the site, <br /> while above 5000 ppm, soil abatement is recommended. This OSWER <br /> guidance does not include comparable numbers above 400 ppm; <br /> instead, as discussed above, it recommends the site-specific use <br /> of the IEUBK modems to set PRGs and MCSs, when necessary. The <br /> remedy selection process specified in the National Contingency <br /> Plan (NCP) should then be used to decide what type of action is <br /> appropriate to achieve those goals. <br /> In general, because the Section 403 guidance was developed <br /> for a different purpose and audience, OSWER does not recommend <br /> that it be used as a reference in setting PRGs and MCSs or in <br /> determining whether action at a particular site is warranted. <br /> (To put it another way, it generally should not be treated as a <br /> "to be considered" document or "TBC" under CERCLA. ) The section <br /> 403 guidance is meant to provide generic levels that can be used <br /> at thousands of widely varying sites across the nation. The <br /> detailed study that goes on at CERCLA or RCRA sites will allow <br /> levels to be developed that are more narrowly tailored to the <br /> individual site. Nothing in the section 403 guidance discourages <br /> setting more site-specific levels for certain situations; in <br /> fact, it specifically identifies factors such as bioavailability <br /> that may significantly affect the evaluation of risk at some <br /> sites. <br /> The IEUBK model. The Agency is further studying both the <br /> IEUBK model and analyses of epidemiologic studies in order to i <br /> better develop the technical basis for rulemaking under TSCA <br /> -4- <br />