In response to an increasing focus on cumulative risk, EPA announced a new “Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment,” an integrated approach to environmental risk assessment. Cumulative risk assessment is the analysis of the combined risks to human health or the environment from multiple pollutants transmitted through multiple pathways of exposure.

The assessment is the first step in a long-term effort to develop cumulative risk assessment guidance and focuses on fostering consistent approaches to cumulative risk assessment by EPA, identifying key issues and defining terms used in the assessment. The agency will use the framework as its basis for future guidance as EPA continues its cumulative risk assessment activities. See http://_cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/_recordisplay.cfm?deid=54944._