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  3. Receptors

EPA EcoBox Tools by Receptors - Receptors in ERA

On this page:
  • Planning & Problem Formulation
  • Analysis
  • Risk Characterization
  • Tools

Planning and Problem Formulation Phase: Identifying Receptors of Concern

During the planning and problem formulation phase, potential ecological receptors are identified. Identification of receptors arises from a review of the fate, migration, and potential release of stressorsAny physical, chemical, or biological entity that can induce an adverse response (synonymous with agent). in terrestrial and aquatic environments (U.S. EPA, 1991). Selection of receptors is a component of establishing the “assessment endpointsAn explicit expression of the environmental value to be protected, operationally defined as an ecological entity and its attributes.” and “measures of effectA change in an attribute of an assessment endpoint or its surrogate in response to a stressor to which it is exposed.” in the study design. Assessment endpoints include two elements: identification of the specific receptor that is to be protected (e.g., species, community, ecosystem), and a characteristic about the receptor of concern that is important to protect (e.g., survival, growth, reproduction) (U.S. EPA, 1998). See the Phases of ERAs Tool Set of EPA EcoBox for additional discussion and tools related to the planning and problem formulation phase of ERA. See the Stressors Tool Set of EPA EcoBox for identifying and evaluating stressors.

Analysis Phase: Characterizing Exposures and Effects to Receptors

After identifying potentially exposed receptors, risk assessors can focus on receptors known or likely to occur in a particular habitat (U.S. EPA, 1991; 1998). During the analysis phase—which comprises exposure assessment and effects assessment—exposure pathways and receptors likely to be exposed to stressors are characterized, exposure levels are measured or estimated, and effects for each stressor/receptor combination likely to occur are characterized. There may be a large number of different ecological receptors present at a site, and it is generally not feasible or practicable to evaluate risk quantitatively for each receptor. Instead, a limited number of receptors might be selected based on the endpoints of concern and specific characteristics of the area being studied (U.S. EPA, 2008). Ideally an ERA will have representative organisms from multiple trophic levelsEach step along a food chain; an organism's feeding level.. See the Exposure Pathways (Media) and Effects Tool Sets for information on characterizing exposure pathwaysThe physical course a chemical takes from the source to the organism exposed. and potential effects to receptors in an ERA.

Establishing Exposure is Key

Receptor exposure is contact or co-occurrence between a stressor and a receptor. Co-occurrence is exposure that is not the result of direct contact with a stressor, but occurs when a stressor, due to its spatial or temporal proximity to a receptor, results in significantly altered receptor response. Because exposure occurs when receptors contact or co-occur with stressors, this characterization is a prerequisite for estimating exposure. An exposure assessor should be able to trace the exposure pathway from stressor(s) to the receptor(s). According to U.S. EPA’s Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment (1998), establishing exposure is critical—if there is no exposure, there can be no risk. See the Exposure Pathways (Media) Tool Set for information on characterizing exposure pathways for ecological receptors.

Risk Characterization: Quantifying Effects to Receptors and Exposure Factors

The risk characterization phase quantifies the links between exposure and effects to ecological receptors and characterizes the types, extent, and severity of these risks (U.S. EPA, 1991; 1998). Uncertainties associated with potential receptor risks are also described. The stressor-effects assessment relates stressor levels to effects on ecological receptors using documented known effects that may be based on a literature review, toxicity tests, and/or field studies. Effects to ecological receptors might include altered survival, growth, reproduction, or development. See the Effects Tool Set for details on estimating risks to ecological receptors in an ERA.

References

  • U.S. EPA. (1991). ECO update, volume 1, number 2 (8 pp, 202 K, About PDF) [EPA Report]. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. 
  • U.S. EPA. (1992). Framework for ecological risk assessment [EPA Report]. (EPA/630/R-92/001). Washington, DC.
  • U.S. EPA. (1994). ECO update, volume 2, number 3 (14 pp, 152 K, About PDF) [EPA Report]. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. 
  • U.S. EPA. (1996). ECO update, volume 3, number 1 (5 pp, 37 K, About PDF) [EPA Report]. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
  • U.S. EPA. (1998). Guidelines for ecological risk assessment [EPA Report]. (U.S. EPA/630/R-95/002F). Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Risk Assessment Forum. 
  • U.S. EPA. (2008). ECO update/ground water forum issue paper (30 pp, 1.05 MB, About PDF) [EPA Report]. (U.S. EPA-540-R-06-072). Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
  • U.S. EPA. (2014) Ecological exposure research - water.
  • U.S. EPA. (2016). Generic ecological assessment endpoints (GEAEs) for ecological risk assessment: Second edition with generic ecosystem services endpoints added (67 pp, 1.24 K, About PDF). (EPA/100/F15/005).
  • U.S. EPA Region 8. (2015b). Ecological risk assessment: Exposure assessment.

Tools

Resources that provide information related to receptors and exposure factors in ecological risk assessments are provided below.

 

EPA EcoBox

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    • Stressors in ERA
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    • Receptors in ERA
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    • Exposure Pathways in ERA
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    • Effects in ERA
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Last updated on May 21, 2025
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