Discussion of Environmental Law and Policies

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Posting 20529

1. Formulate arguments for and against the idea that risk assessment can and should be separated from risk management.

Risk management is the process of identifying, evaluating, selecting, and implementing actions to reduce risk to human health and to ecosystems. The goal of risk management is scientifically sound, cost-effective, integrated actions that reduce or prevent risks while taking into account social, cultural, ethical, political, and legal considerations.
The problem/context stage is the most important step in the Risk Management Framework. It involves:
1. Identifying and characterizing an environmental health problem, or a potential problem, caused by chemicals or other hazardous agents or situations.
2. Putting the problem into its public health and ecological context.
3. Determining risk management goals.
4. Identifying risk managers with the authority or responsibility to take the necessary actions.
5. Implementing a process for engaging stakeholders.
To make an effective risk management decision, risk managers and other stakeholders need to know what potential harm a situation poses and how great is the likelihood that people or the environment will be harmed. Gathering and analyzing this information is referred to as risk assessment. Therefore, in order to make an informed decision on risk management, the risk assessment analysis is needed. This indicates that risk management and risk assessment should not be separated.
The nature, extent, and focus of a risk assessment should be guided by the risk management goals. The results of a risk assessment—along with information about public values, statutory requirements, court decisions, equity considerations, benefits, and costs—are used to decide whether and how to manage the risks.
Risk assessment can be controversial, reflecting the important role that both science and judgment play in drawing conclusions about the likelihood of effects on human health and the environment. Often, the controversy arises from what we don't know and from what risk assessments can't tell us, because our knowledge of human vulnerability and of ...