A framework for risk characterization of environmental pollutants

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1991.10466923· OSTI ID:5863048

Naugle, D F; Pierson, T K ^[1]

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1. Research Triangle Inst., Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)

Risk characterization is defined by both the US National Academy of Sciences and the US EPA as the estimation of human health risk due to harmful (i.e., toxic or carcinogenic) substances or organisms. Risk characterization studies are accomplished by integrating quantitative exposure estimates and dose-response relationships with the qualitative results of hazard identification. A Risk Characterization Framework has been developed to encourage a systematic approach for analysis and presentation of risk estimates. This methodology subdivides the four common components of the risk assessment process into tel elements. Each of these elements is based on a term in a predictive risk equation. The equation allows populations. All key assumptions in the predictive risk equation can be explicitly shown. This is important to understand the basis and inherent uncertainties of the risk estimation process. The systematic treatment of each of the ten elements in this framework aids in the difficult job of comparing risk estimates by different researchers using different methodologies. The Risk Characterization Framework has been applied to various indoor and outdoor air pollutants of a carcinogenic nature. With further development, it also promises to be applicable to noncarcinogenic effects.

• OSTI ID: 5863048
• Journal Information: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States), Vol. 41:10; ISSN 1047-3289
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
POLLUTANTS
HEALTH HAZARDS
RISK ASSESSMENT
AIR POLLUTION
CARCINOGENS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
THERMAL DEGRADATION
TOXIC MATERIALS
US EPA
US NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POLLUTION
POPULATIONS
US ORGANIZATIONS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)