ABSTRACT
Risk assessment is a process that seeks to estimate the likelihood of occurrence of adverse effects as a result of exposures to chemical, physical, and/or biological agents in humans and ecological receptors within an ecosystem. The applicable analytical procedures, the details of which are outside the scope of this book, should be strictly adhered to. US EPA discusses data evaluation requirements for organizing data in a suitable and usable format for a risk assessment. An exposure pathway is considered complete only if all of the following elements are present: For exposure to occur, a complete pathway is necessary, and a risk assessment must address all exposure pathways. A detailed toxicity assessment for chemicals found at contaminated sites is generally accomplished in two steps hazard assessment; and dose-response assessment. Appendix D in this book describes selected information sources for toxicity parameters. Generally, risk assessment techniques can be employed to better develop the site characterization, site assessment, and corrective action plans.
