Risk assessments provide a qualitative or quantitative evaluation of the risk posed to human health and the environment by the actual or potential presence of pollutants. Risk assessments are conducted for a number of reasons, including: to establish whether an ecological risk exists or not; to identify the need for additional data collection; to focus on the dangers of a specific pollutant or the risks posed to a specific site; to help develop contingency plans and other responses to pollutant releases. Risk assessments are an important part of the Agency's Superfund program and play a key role in the development and implementation of new environmental regulations.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• Risk Assessment Portal
  The EPA's Risk Assessment site provides basic information about environmental risk assessments for the public. Additionally, the site offers a comprehensive set of links to key EPA tools, guidance and guidelines.
• National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA)
  This office serves as the national resource center for the overall process of human health and ecological risk assessments. Find risk assessments, guideline links, risk tools, recent additions, IRIS.
• Waste and Cleanup Risk Assessment: Superfund Risk Assessment
  This page provides guidance, tools and databases that might be useful in preparing human health and ecological risk assesments on the types of hazardous waste sites addressed by OSWER programs.

Chemicals Management

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Environmental Indicators

Environmental Justice

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Policy
American Indian Policy, Directive, Guidance

Partnerships
Cooperative Agreements, National Environmental Performance Track, Public Private Partnerships

Resources Management
Conservation, Needs Survey, Resources Planning

Risk Assessment
Ecological Risk Assessment, Exposure Assessment, Human Health Risk Assessment

Risk Management
Cumulative Risk, Risk Communication

Smart Growth