What's the Risk? Risk-The probability that something harmful will happen. Chemical Risk-The probability of harm caused by Chemical exposure. Acceptable Risk-Is determined using scientific data and human judgment. Risk Assessment 2
Risk Assessment 2 What’s the Risk? ▪ Risk- The probability that something harmful will happen. ▪ Chemical Risk – The probability of harm caused by Chemical exposure. ▪ Acceptable Risk – Is determined using scientific data and human judgment
HOW SAFE IS SAFE ENOUGH? Risk Assessment-A process to determine how safe is safe enough. -Answer Two Questions: What health problems could this chemical cause? How likely are these health problems to occur? RiskAssessment 3
Risk Assessment 3 HOW SAFE IS SAFE ENOUGH? ▪ Risk Assessment – A process to determine how safe is safe enough. ▪ Answer Two Questions: ▪ What health problems could this chemical cause? ▪ How likely are these health problems to occur?
HOW SAFE IS SAFE ENOUGH? Summary of Risk Assessment Chemical Risk Toxicity X Exposure Toxicity-What health problems are associated with various doses or concentrations. Exoosure-How much chemical a person is likely to get(from any source) RiskAssessment
Risk Assessment 4 HOW SAFE IS SAFE ENOUGH? ▪ Summary of Risk Assessment ▪ Chemical Risk = Toxicity X Exposure ▪ Toxicity- What health problems are associated with various doses or concentrations. ▪ Exposure- How much chemical a person is likely to get (from any source)
HOW SAFE IS SAFE ENOUGH? High chemical risk requires both high toxicity AND exposure. May household chemicals are highly toxic but proper RISK MANAGEMENT can reduce risk. RiskAssessment 5
Risk Assessment 5 HOW SAFE IS SAFE ENOUGH? ▪ High chemical risk requires both high toxicity AND exposure. ▪ May household chemicals are highly toxic but proper RISK MANAGEMENT can reduce risk
WHATARE THE TRADE-OFFS? Risk Management involves choices. How safe is safe enough? -How importance is convenience vs.safety? How much money is protection from a risk worth? RiskAssessment 6
Risk Assessment 6 WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS? ▪ Risk Management involves choices. – How safe is safe enough? – How importance is convenience vs. safety? – How much money is protection from a risk worth?
WHATARE THE TRADE-OFFS? ·One Risk Vs.Another Sometimes to lessen one risk you have increase another type of risk. -Example:spraying to control mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus. Topic:West Nile virus Go To:www.sciLINKS.org ·Code:ATR05 Topic:Stream/river pollution Go To:www.sciLINKS.org ·Code:ATR06 RiskAssessment 7
Risk Assessment 7 WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS? ▪ One Risk Vs. Another ▪ Sometimes to lessen one risk you have increase another type of risk. – Example: spraying to control mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus. ▪ Topic: West Nile virus ▪ Go To: www.sciLINKS.org ▪ Code: ATR05 ▪ Topic: Stream/river pollution ▪ Go To: www.sciLINKS.org ▪ Code: ATR06 –
WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS? Example:Chlorine in water can form a carcinogen.Is it worth the risk? 25 million people/year die from unsafe water. %of hospital patients are there from unsafe water. Topic:Water Treatment -Go To:www.sciLINKS.org Code:ATR07 RiskAssessment 8
Risk Assessment 8 WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS? ▪ Example: Chlorine in water can form a carcinogen. Is it worth the risk? ▪ 25 million people/year die from unsafe water. ▪ ≈ ¼ of hospital patients are there from unsafe water. – Topic: Water Treatment – Go To: www.sciLINKS.org – Code: ATR07
WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS? Risk Vs.Cost -If chlorine is dangerous how much will you pay for a different treatment? For Hazardous waste sites in Massena. How clean is clean enough? RiskAssessment
Risk Assessment 9 WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS? ▪ Risk Vs. Cost ▪ If chlorine is dangerous how much will you pay for a different treatment? ▪ For Hazardous waste sites in Massena. How clean is clean enough?
WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS? When the EPA does a risk assessment they ask: -What contaminants exist at the site? How are people exposed to them? How dangerous could the contaminants be to human health? -What contaminant concentrations are considered acceptable? RiskAssessment 10
Risk Assessment 10 WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS? ▪ When the EPA does a risk assessment they ask: – What contaminants exist at the site? – How are people exposed to them? – How dangerous could the contaminants be to human health? – What contaminant concentrations are considered acceptable?