Risk, science, and democracy

Journal Article · · Issues Sci. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5760497

Ruckleshaus, W D

Former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Ruckleshaus traces the changes in underlying assumptions that set the major course of environmental policies. While the more gross forms of pollution are under control, the level of controversy about environmental protection has not diminished. The controversy now focuses on the carcinogenic risk to human health from toxic chemicals. Because this risk is expressed in projections based on scientific findings that are often ambiguous, environmental policymakers are pressed to find ways to manage risks that are still inadequately understood. Ruckleshaus argues that effective environmental risk management requires that government agencies be allowed to set priorities and have greater flexibility to resolve problems in a local context, with local public participation. True public involvement demands a new degree of candor and a willingness to confront the economic and social trade-offs of sensible decisions. 1 table.

• OSTI ID: 5760497
• Journal Information: Issues Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Issues Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 1:3; ISSN ISTEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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560306 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
CARCINOGENS
DECISION MAKING
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GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INFORMATION NEEDS
MATERIALS
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PUBLIC POLICY
RISK ASSESSMENT
TOXIC MATERIALS
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS