Environmental Risk Flashcards
1
Q
What is risk?
A
risk = probability x consequence
- probability is the likelihood of an event occurring
- consequence is the measurable effects of an event
2
Q
What is environmental risk?
A
- characterization of nature, magnitude, and likelihood of adverse effect on human health and ecosystems from exposure to contaminants
3
Q
What is risk management?
A
- plans and actions to reduce, control or prevent exposure to contamination
4
Q
How would you manage risk?
A
- remediation
- exposure prevention
5
Q
What is a hazard?
A
- attribute of material, system, process or operation that has potential to cause harm to humans and ecosystems
6
Q
What is a risk event?
A
- occurrence of negative incident or discovery of information that reveals negative circumstances
7
Q
What are the elements of a risk event?
A
- stochastic risk: elements represented as a collected of random variables that influence outcome of risk event –> may or may not be predictable
- systematic: elements that are primary contributors to risk event –> predictable
8
Q
What is the risk evaluation process?
A
1) identification of hazard
2) determination of risks of hazards
3) reduction of risk to acceptable levels
4) documentation
5) continuing re-evaluation
9
Q
What is acceptable risk?
A
- risk that is understood and tolerated
10
Q
What are the challenges in risk assessment?
A
- risk perception
- risk communication
- risk interpretation
11
Q
What are the factor of risk perception?
A
- risk characterization
- experience
- knowledge
- attitudes
- control or lack of control
12
Q
What are the challenges of risk decisions?
A
- complexity
- uncertainty
- errors in determining stochastic values
- determining system boundaries
- ambiguity in interpreting results
13
Q
What are the factors of risk communication?
A
- education
- behavioral changes
- trust in responsible institutions
- involvement in risk decisions
