Risk Assessment

"While there are many definitions of the word 'risk,' the EPA considers risk to be the chance of harmful effects to human health or to ecological systems resulting from exposure to an environmental stressor.  A stressor is any physical, chemical, or biological entity that can induce an adverse response. Stressors may adversely affect specific natural resources or entire ecosystems, including plants and animals, as well as the environment with which they interact." Environmental Protection Agency.

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View the results of a dynamic search of NAL's database for article citations and books on risk assessment and communication.

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Bibliographies covering 1985-1993, 1988-1995 and 1995-1999 are also available.

Evaluates the extent to which farms facing higher levels of drought risk are more likely to participate in conservation programs -- finding a strong link between drought risk and program participation.

Ensures that major regulations proposed by USDA are based on sound scientific and economic analysis.

Overview of the Ecological Risk Assessment Process in the Office of Pesticide Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (PDF | 975 KB) EPA. Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. Explains the ecological risk assessment process for the "evaluation of potential risk to endangered and threatened (listed) species from exposure to pesticides."

For the agricultural sector, outlines the "potential threat of environmental exposures to human and ecological health" and defines risk assessment. Go here information on Risk Communication. Includes links to the Wildlife Exposure Factors Handbook and risk assessment software.

"EPA conducts ecological risk assessments to determine what risks are posed by a pesticide and whether changes to the use or proposed use are necessary to protect the environment." The use of some pesticides may impact the quality of soil and water.

"Section 304(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act requires EPA to develop criteria for water quality" that accurately reflect environmental or human health risks.

"Organizes thousands of risk management materials which help producers and agricultural professionals quickly locate information, tools, and assistance on specific risk management topics."

Coordinates worldwide chemical safety activities.