Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 17 April 1987:
Vol. 236. no. 4799, pp. 286 - 290
DOI: 10.1126/science.3563508
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Science, Vol 236, Issue 4799, 286-290
Copyright © 1987 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Risk assessment in environmental policy-making

M Russell and M Gruber

Environmental policy-making has become more dependent on formal, quantitative risk assessment because of increasing attention to the prevention of human health damage from toxic chemicals. Risk assessment helps set priorities for regulation of the very large numbers of chemicals that are of potential concern and helps direct limited social and government resources against the most significant risks. Although the scientific basis for risk assessment is often uncertain and the public and its representatives have often been confused by its use in regulatory decisions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently uses a variety of risk assessment techniques to set priorities, tailor regulations, and make decisions at particular sites. The Environmental Protection Agency also attempts to make the practice of risk assessment more consistent throughout the agency and to improve public understanding of the meaning of risk assessment and risk management.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Quantitative risk assessment and the limitations of the linearized multistage model.
D. P Lovell and G. Thomas (1996)
Human and Experimental Toxicology 15, 87-104
   Abstract »    PDF »
A critical theoretic look at technical risk analysis.
T. Webler, H. Rakel, and R. J. S. Ross (1992)
Organization Environment 6, 23-38
   Abstract »    PDF »
Risk assessment and environmental crisis: toward an integration of science and participation.
F. Fischer (1991)
Organization Environment 5, 113-132
   Abstract »    PDF »
Residential Exposure to High-Voltage Transmission Lines.
J. B. Goldsteen and G. R. High (1990)
Journal of Planning Education and Research 9, 177-181
   Abstract »
Risk assessment and comparisons: an introduction.
R Wilson and E. Crouch (1987)
Science 236, 267-270
   Abstract »    PDF »
Health and safety risk analyses: information for better decisions.
L. Lave (1987)
Science 236, 291-295
   Abstract »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)