ABSTRACT
The aim of risk assessment is to provide society with estimates of the likelihood of illnesses and injury as a consequence of exposure to various hazards. It is a means to evaluate potential hazards associated with exposure to chemicals, mixtures, or processes; ascertain the likelihood that exposed individuals will be adversely affected; and characterize the nature of the effects they may experience. Risk assessment involves the systematic evaluation of scientific information comprising four components: hazard identification, dose–response assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization. High-quality biomarkers should improve the accuracy of risk assessment, making it predictive of actual risks rather than protective of theoretical risks. Biomarkers of effect are often used in epidemiological studies to relate the occurrence of adverse health effects to exposure to a substance in a study population. Hazard identification involves the analysis of available experimental data on the chemical of interest to determine what health effects are of concern for the risk assessment.
