Ecological risk assessment benefits environmental management

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:10107221

Fairbrother, A; Kapustka, L A; Williams, B A ^[1]; Glicken, J ^[2]

---

1. Ecological Planning and Toxicology, Inc., Corvallis, OR (United States)
2. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)

The ecological risk assessment process in its ideal form is an unbiased approach for assessing the probability of harm to the environment as a consequence of a given action. This information can then be combined with other societal values and biases in the management of such risks. However, as the process currently is understood, decision makers often are accused of manipulating information in order to generate decisions or achieve buy in from the public in support of a particular political agenda. A clear understanding of the nature of the risk management process can help define areas where information should be free from social or personal bias, and areas where values and judgments are critical. The authors do not propose to discuss the individual`s decision-making process, but rather to address the social process of risk communication and environmentally-related decision-making, identifying which parts of that process require bias-free, scientifically generated information about the consequences of various actions and which parts need an understanding of the social values which underlie the informed choices among those possible actions.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 10107221
• Report Number(s): SAND--94-3062C; CONF-9411167--1; ON: DE95004554; BR: GB0103012
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300
DECISION MAKING
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND SAFETY
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
RISK ASSESSMENT