Michael Baram

Abstract

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The 10-member Commission on Risk Assessment and Risk Management was charged by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 to investigate the policy implications and appropriate uses of risk assessment and risk management in regulatory programs under various federal laws, with an emphasis on preventing cancer and other chronic human health effects that may result from exposure to hazardous substances. Since May 1994, the commission has deliberated, held hearings across the United States, and sought input from a wide range of experts and stakeholders. A final version of the resulting report will be published in October 1996. Among other topics, the report will address the questions of what should be done about chronic health risks posed by human exposure to hazardous substances ; how finite resources can be used to assess these risks, set priorities, enact standards, apply incentives, monitor regulatory performance, and achieve a coherent national approach to risk management ; and how this enterprise can be made effective, efficient, equitable, and science-based, yet fully responsive to people's concerns and the special needs of vulnerable groups.