Metal Finishing Facility Risk Screening Tool (MFFRST)

NOTICE: The MFFRST model itself is being temporarily removed from the download section below as it undergoes further testing and possible changes. Until a revised version is reposted, you can obtain a copy of the current version of the model by contacting Matthew Lorber using contact information provided below. In addition to providing the model, he can also discuss what model testing and revision is taking place.

The model MFFRST, short for Metal Finishing Facility Risk Screening Tool, is a user-friendly pc-based computer tool which allows an individual to evaluate the potential exposures and health risks to workers and nearby residents from emissions from individual metal finishing facilities.

Emissions into the air (from stacks to the outdoor environment and fugitive emissions from indoor sources) from routine operations are the only emissions considered in MFFRST. Also, only inhalation exposures from air emissions are evaluated, not other potential exposure pathways from airborne emissions such as dermal contact, soil impacts (from deposition), and food chain impacts. As the name implies, this is a "screening" tool, and as such, its development has followed these principals: 1) the computer interface must be user-friendly, 2) the data needs are manageable and sufficient guidance for all model parameters should be provided either in the accompanying documentation or attached data bases, and 3) the results are purposively conservative such that, if assessments show an insignificant potential human health risk, the user can feel confident of that judgement. On the other hand, if the results suggest a potential concern, the user should not consider these as definitive and should consider additional assessment efforts including: refinement of assumptions in the use of MFFRST, the use of more refined and sophisticated modeling, monitoring to evaluate actual air concentrations, or other measures.

Additional Information