Need for Fate and Effects Research

The need for Fate and Effects research is primarily driven by regulatory statute, acts such as:

Clean Water Act
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
National Environmental Policy Act
Federal Fungicide, Insecticide and Rodenticide Act
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund)
Toxic Substances Control Act
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

These statutes require that environmental resource managers be aware of the myriad of environmental regulations and procedures. Monitoring and assessing environmental quality for hazardous or toxic substances (contaminants) is required. If contaminants are identified, remedial actions may have to be implemented. Environmental Fate and Effects Research is critical to help answer the question of "how clean is clean." Cleanup/remediation costs have been reduced, as a result of Environmental Fate and Effects Research.

Fate and Effects Research is conducted at WES following the National Academy of Science/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Risk Paradigm. Research is classified as exposure assessment, effects assessment, risk characterization, and risk management.