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Week 9

The document outlines the concepts of risk analysis, including risk assessment, risk characterization, risk communication, and risk management. It emphasizes the importance of evaluating the probability of harm from exposure to toxic substances and the need for effective communication and decision-making processes related to risk. Additionally, it distinguishes between ecological and human health risk assessments, detailing methodologies used in each area.

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carolinehoang2005
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4 views8 pages

Week 9

The document outlines the concepts of risk analysis, including risk assessment, risk characterization, risk communication, and risk management. It emphasizes the importance of evaluating the probability of harm from exposure to toxic substances and the need for effective communication and decision-making processes related to risk. Additionally, it distinguishes between ecological and human health risk assessments, detailing methodologies used in each area.

Uploaded by

carolinehoang2005
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

SPH 414/514

Risk Assessment and


Characterization

Video 1
What is risk?

Rausand and Haugen


What is risk?
• Risk analysis à risk assessment, risk characterization, risk communication, risk management and policy

1. What can go wrong?

2. What is the likelihood of that happening?

3. What are the consequences?


What is risk?
• Risk analysis à risk assessment, risk characterization, risk communication, risk management and policy

• Risk assessment: scientific evaluation of the probability of harm resulting from exposure to a toxic
(infectious) substance
• Risk characterization: the nature and magnitude of health risk considering the exposure assessment
and hazard identification à includes consideration of the uncertainty associated with each

• Risk communication: the science of communicating risk effectively, particularly in situations that are of
high concern, sensitive or controversial.

• Risk management: the decision-making process related to risk. Includes consideration of the political,
social, economic and scientific/engineering dimensions related to a hazard with an end goal being to
develop an optimal response to the hazard.
The risk triad
Risk management

Regulatory decisions

Determine tolerance

Enforce regulations

a te
Ri

nd
sk

a
ch

Hazard m
ar

identification i ve
ac

at Public and
te

sl
gi
riz

political opinions
Le
at
io
n

Dose response
relationships Consideration of
risks and benefits
Exposure
Benefits
assessment Psychological and
assessment
sociologic factors

Risk assessment Risk communication


Basic approach to risk assessment

NRC – Red Book


Ecological and human health risk assessment
Ecological Risk Assessment Human Health Risk Assessment

Population, community and ecosystem • Predictive modeling of the threat posed by


levels exposure to hazards to human health

• Focuses on dose as it relates to the


• Ecotoxicology characteristics of the hazard
• Study of the ways in which polluting agents
disturb biological populations and communities
Dose (Ei) = CC x CR x EF
• Ecological Risk Assessment
BW
• Field surveys in terrestrial and aquatic
environments CC = constituent concentration in the medium of
• Fate and transport modeling concern (mg/L)
• Toxicity testing CR = contact rate with medium of concern (L/day)
• Bioaccumulation studies EF = exposure frequency with the medium of
• Risk characterization concern (days/year)
BW = body weight
Human health risk assessment

Inhalation

Ingestion

Dermal

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