### Question
How is the "exposure assessment" defined?


### Answer
The term **exposure assessment** is defined in *42 U.S.C. § 6991b* as follows -

> an assessment to determine the extent of exposure of, or potential for exposure of, individuals to petroleum from a release from an underground storage tank based on such factors as the nature and extent of contamination and the existence of or potential for pathways of human exposure (including ground or surface water contamination, air emissions, and food chain contamination), the size of the community within the likely pathways of exposure, and the comparison of expected human exposure levels to the short-term and long-term health effects associated with identified contaminants and any available recommended exposure or tolerance limits for such contaminants

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 6991b*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 81-ENERGY CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE RENEWAL > SUBCHAPTER IX-REGULATION OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS**

