Russell M, Gruber M
Science. 1987 Apr 17;236(4799):286-90. doi: 10.1126/science.3563508.
Environmental policy-making has become more dependent on formal, quantitative risk assessment because of increasing attention to the prevention of human health damage from toxic chemicals. Risk assessment helps set priorities for regulation of the very large numbers of chemicals that are of potential concern and helps direct limited social and government resources against the most significant risks. Although the scientific basis for risk assessment is often uncertain and the public and its representatives have often been confused by its use in regulatory decisions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently uses a variety of risk assessment techniques to set priorities, tailor regulations, and make decisions at particular sites. The Environmental Protection Agency also attempts to make the practice of risk assessment more consistent throughout the agency and to improve public understanding of the meaning of risk assessment and risk management.
由于对预防有毒化学品对人类健康造成损害的关注度不断提高，环境政策制定越来越依赖于正式的定量风险评估。风险评估有助于为大量潜在受关注化学品的监管确定优先次序，并有助于将有限的社会和政府资源用于应对最重大的风险。尽管风险评估的科学依据往往并不确定，公众及其代表也常常对其在监管决策中的使用感到困惑，但美国环境保护局目前使用多种风险评估技术来确定优先次序、制定针对性的法规以及在特定场所做出决策。环境保护局还试图使整个机构的风险评估做法更加一致，并提高公众对风险评估和风险管理含义的理解。
