Health risk assessment is the characterization of the potential adverse health effects of human exposures to environmental hazards. Exposure may occur because of releases, spills, improper storage and transport and other accidents. EPA determines the extent to which a group of people has been or may be exposed to a certain chemical or other dangerous substance. The extent of exposure is then considered in relation to the kind and degree of hazard posed by the chemical, thereby permitting an estimate to be made of the present or potential health risk to the group of people involved. The EPA's approach to health risk assessment stresses community-based decision making and seeks to involve as broad a range of stakeholders as possible.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• NCEA: Human Health Risk Assessments
  Links to resources on Human Health Risk Assessments.
• Risk Assessment Portal: Human Health Risk Assessment
  Provides information about human health risk assessment.
• Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
  A database of human health effects that may result from exposure to various substances found in the environment.

Children's Health
School Environments

Exposure
Acute Exposure, Cumulative Exposure, Dermal Exposure, Dietary Exposure, Exposure Assessment, Exposure Route, Threshold Level

Food Safety
Irradiated Food

Health Assessment

Health Effects
Asthma, Genetic Damage, Respiratory Disease

Occupational Health
Worker Protection, Worker Safety

Seniors' Health
Aging Initiative

Sun Protection

Toxicity
Chronic Toxicity, Dermal Toxicity, Toxicological Profile