ABSTRACT
Ecological risk assessment is defined as “the qualitative or quantitative appraisal of impact, potential or real, of one or more stressors (such as pollution) on flora, fauna, or the encompassing ecosystem.” The underlying principles behind risk reduction and integrated decision making that are detailed in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strategic initiatives and guiding principles include pollution prevention (1). Pollution control (PC) and waste minimization (WM) are probably the most effective means of reducing risk to humans and the environment from hazardous and radioactive waste. Pollution control can be defined as any activity that reduces the release to the environment of substances that can cause adverse effects to humans or other biological organisms. This includes pollution prevention and waste minimization. Waste minimization is defined as pollution prevention measures that reduce Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste (2). Reduced risk is one benefit of these practices, and it results most directly from lower concentrations of contaminants entering the environment from both planned and accidental releases.
