Risk Management Research
Basic Information
EPA’s research program is centered on an important organizing principle called the “risk paradigm.” The risk paradigm consists of two interrelated processes: risk assessment and risk management.
Risk assessment is used to evaluate the degree and probability of harm to human health and the environment from such stressors as pollution or habitat loss. This process, as proposed by the National Research Council (NRC) in 1983, consists of these steps:
- Exposure assessment – describing the populations or ecosystems exposed to stressors and the magnitude, duration, and spatial extent of the exposure
- Hazard identification – identifying adverse effects (e.g., cancer, short-term illness) that may occur from exposure to environmental stressors
- Dose-response assessment – determining the toxicity or potency of stressors
- Risk characterization – using the data collected in the first three steps to estimate and describe the effects of human or ecological exposure to stressors
Risk management is the identification and prioritization of environmental and health risks (actual or potential threat of adverse effects on living organisms and our environment by effluents, emissions, wastes, resource depletion, etc., arising out of activities), followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to sustainably minimize, monitor, and control the adverse impact events or to maximize the realization of opportunities.
Risk management entails determining whether and how risks are to be managed or reduced. It is based on the results of the risk assessment, as well as on social, economic, and public health and environment factors. Risk management options include pollution prevention or control technologies to reduce or eliminate the risk to humans and the environment. Risk management actions must then be monitored so that any necessary adjustments can be made.
EPA risk management research will:
- Be valuable in the decision making process
- Clearly address uncertainty
- Be logical, sustainable and structured
- Be based on the best available information
- Take into account human and environmental factors
- Be responsive to change
- Be capable of continuous improvement
EPA research provides sound scientific, risk management information to stakeholders and policy makers who use the information to understand human and ecosystem vulnerabilities, to mitigate the risk, and to develop adaptation measures in response to the risk.