Risk assessment evaluates whether exposure to contamination could harm people and estimates how likely those health effects are to occur. It considers factors such as the type and amount of contamination, how people might come into contact with it, and how long they may be exposed. Decision makers use the results to understand potential health risks and determine whether cleanup or other actions can help protect people.
Decision Making at Contaminated Sites: Issues and Options in Human Health Risk Assessment (RISK-3, 2015) is a practical resource that explains key issues involved in conducting and reviewing human health risk assessments for contaminated sites. It covers seven major topics (planning, data evaluation, toxicity, exposure assessment, risk characterization, risk management, and risk communication) and outlines options for addressing common challenges. The document also links to additional tools and resources, helping project managers, regulators, community members, and other stakeholders better understand risk assessment and make informed environmental decisions.
For readers seeking more detailed examples and supporting resources, see Use of Risk Assessment in Management of Contaminated Sites (RISK-2, 2008), which includes actual and hypothetical case studies. Examination of Risk-Based Screening Values and Approaches of Selected States (RISK-1, 2005) summarizes risk-based screening values and approaches for contaminated media.
Topic(s): Human Health, Risk Assessment, Risk Communication, Risk Management
