ASSESSING Toxic Risk

The spill or release of commonly used toxic industrial chemicals and materials can disrupt and threaten human health and the environment. To address this potential threat, a new computer application gives planners a tool to model the effects and risks of 44 common hazardous chemicals and agents. The Geospatial Risk Assessment Modeling System (GeoRAMS) assesses short- and long-term health risks associated with exposure to air, surface water, soil and water supply systems that may have been contaminated through releases or spills. Contaminants may include toxic industrial chemicals and materials that are carried in railroad cars, tanker trucks or airplanes. Users can enact "what-if" scenarios to identify locations in the transportation network that pose a high risk so that alternative plans can be developed proactively. It can also be used to model other scenarios and to design operational plans for reducing the risk to people and the environment.