Risk Assessment Flashcards
How may risk be defined when several different kinds or magnitudes of loss may occur?
Risk = (Probability of an undesired consequence) X (Size of the loss).
List 2 ways of reducing risk.
Reduce the size of the loss, and reduce the probability that the loss will occur.
List two categories of health risk that are commonly analyzed.
Carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic.
Measures to reduce/eliminate risk is only considered when both the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risk is unacceptable.
False - measures are considered when either carcinogenic or noncarcinogenic risk is unacceptable.
Eliminating exposure to a chemical altogether may be technically difficult or expensive.
True.
Exposure to chemicals can confer health benefits.
True - fluoride in water.
Determinations of acceptable risk must be free of judgment and depend on scientific facts.
False - deciding on acceptable risk levels involves a substantial amount of judgment.
Which organization provides criteria for chemical risk assessment?
EPA
When did the National Research Council (NRC) define a four-step process for risk assessment?
1983
List the steps of the NRC’s 4-step risk assessment process?
Hazard assessment, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization.
Hazard assessment draws on available data from what 3 types of studies?
Laboratory studies, animals studies, and epidemiological studies.
Epidemiological studies are based on what observations?
They are based on observations of people in the real world.
Why is dose-response assessment considered one of the most difficult/controversial steps in a risk assessment?
There is usually insufficient data to characterize a dose-response relationship.
Exposure assessment measures the current magnitude, frequency, and duration of human exposure.
False - future exposure to an agent is considered.
Which risk assessment step includes discussion of the size, nature, and types of human populations exposed to an agent?
Exposure assessment.
Which risk assessment step results in an evaluation and description of the nature and severity of any effects, including carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic effects?
Hazard assessment.
Which risk assessment step determines whether there is any potential problem from exposure to a given chemical?
Hazard assessment.
Which risk assessment step seeks dose-response relationships for both carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic effects?
Dose-response assessment.
Exposure assessment commonly measures exposure directly, but indirect estimates are also available.
False - Exposure is more commonly estimated indirectly.
List 3 steps to indirect exposure estimation during exposure assessment.
(1) Using measured concentrations in the environment, (2) using models of chemical transport and fate in the environment, (3) and using estimates of human intake over time.
Which risk assessment step establishes the presence or absence of risks?
Risk characterization.
Which risk assessment step conveys information on how risk was assessed?
Risk characterization.
Which risk assessment step conveys information on where assumptions and uncertainties still exist?
Risk characterization.
Which risk assessment step conveys information on where policy choices must be made?
Risk characterization.
In practice, each risk assessment step has an individual risk characterization. This provides a basis of information from which to write what?
To write an integrative risk characterization analysis. (Idk)
The evaluation of chemical carcinogens relies heavily on what type of studies?
Animal studies.