Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment
2009

Consensus

You must be logged in to download this publication.

Select Book Type

Paperback - $58.50

See project
Request an exam or desk copy

Risk assessment has become a dominant public policy tool for making choices, based on limited resources, to protect public health and the environment. It has been instrumental to the mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as other federal agencies in evaluating public health concerns, informing regulatory and technological decisions, prioritizing research needs and funding, and in developing approaches for cost-benefit analysis.

However, risk assessment is at a crossroads. Despite advances in the field, risk assessment faces a number of significant challenges including lengthy delays in making complex decisions; lack of data leading to significant uncertainty in risk assessments; and many chemicals in the marketplace that have not been evaluated and emerging agents requiring assessment.

Science and Decisions makes practical scientific and technical recommendations to address these challenges. This book is a complement to the widely used 1983 National Academies book, Risk Assessment in the Federal Government (also known as the Red Book). The earlier book established a framework for the concepts and conduct of risk assessment that has been adopted by numerous expert committees, regulatory agencies, and public health institutions. The new book embeds these concepts within a broader framework for risk-based decision-making. Together, these are essential references for those working in the regulatory and public health fields.

Publication information

422 pages · 7 x 10 · paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-12046-2
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-12047-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/12209

Suggested citation

National Research Council. 2009. Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

Import this citation to:

Bibtext
EndNote
Reference manager

First Name
Last Name
Email (required)
I agree to receive emails from the National Academies (required)

We respect your privacy and will never share your information.

Search this publication

Front Matter i-xviii
Summary 1-14
1 Introduction 15-25
2 Evolution and Use of Risk Assessment in the Environmental Protection Agency: Current Practice and Future Prospects 26-64
3 The Design of Risk Assessments 65-92
4 Uncertainty and Variability: The Recurring and Recalcitrant Elements of Risk Assessment 93-126
5 Toward a Unified Approach to Dose-Response Assessment 127-187
6 Selection and Use of Defaults 188-212
7 Implementing Cumulative Risk Assessment 213-239
8 Improving the Utility of Risk Assessment 240-257
9 Toward Improved Risk-Based Decision-Making 258-272
Appendix A: Biographic Information on the Committee on Improving Risk Analysis Approaches Used by the Environmental Protection Agency 273-280
Appendix B: Statement of Task of the Committee on Improving Risk Analysis Approaches Used by the Environmental Protection Agency 281-282
Appendix C: Timeline of Selected Environmental Protection Agency Risk-Assessment Activities 283-298
Appendix D: Environmental Protection Agency Response to Recommendations from Selected NRC Reports: Policy, Activity, and Practice 299-366
Appendix E: Environmental Protection Agency Program and Region Responses to Questions from the Committee 367-398
Appendix F: Case Studies of the Framework for Risk-Based Decision-Making 399-404

Log In

Former MyNAP users: You'll need to reset your password on your first login to MyAcademies. Click "Forgot password" below to receive a reset link via email. Having trouble? Visit our FAQ page to contact support.

Members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, or National Academy of Medicine should log in through their respective Academy portals.

Email (required)
Password (required)

Don't have an account?

Register

Email (required)
New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters
I accept the terms of use
terms of use

Thank You

Thank you for creating a MyAcademies account!

Enjoy free access to thousands of National Academies' publications, a 10% discount off every purchase, and build your personal library.

Forgot Password

Enter the email address for your MyAcademies (formerly MyNAP) account to receive password reset instructions.

Email (required)

Reset Requested

We sent password reset instructions to your email . Follow the link in that email to create a new password. Didn't receive it? Check your spam folder or contact us for assistance.

Reset Password

New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters

Reset Password

Your password has been reset.

Verify email

Verify Your Email Address

We sent a verification link to your email. Please check your inbox (and spam folder) and follow the link to verify your email address. If you did not receive the email, you can request a new verification link below

Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment (2009)

Chapter: 4 Uncertainty and Variability: The Recurring and Recalcitrant Elements of Risk Assessment

Publication information

Suggested citation

My Academies

Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment (2009)

Chapter: 4 Uncertainty and Variability: The Recurring and Recalcitrant Elements of Risk Assessment