Risk
Risk is the potential for harm. Although the concept of risk—and some of the same analytic tools—are also used in finance and actuarial science, as well as to describe threats from natural events, this discussion focuses on risks to human health and the environment from toxic pollution.
Risk=f(Hazard, Exposure)
The magnitude and severity of risk are a function of the types of harm (i.e., the hazards, or what can go wrong) and the extent and likelihood of exposure. If the elements of hazard and exposure are not both in play, there is no biophysical risk to health or the environment. However, the perception of risk can be as damaging, with potential for destroying trust and sapping resources andemotional energy. Maintaining an appropriate balance between the level of social concern about a threat on the one hand and the extent of its social impact or risk on the other hand is an ongoing challenge for risk communicators, an engaged citizenry, and policymakers.
Hazards
Hazards to human health include cancers, asthma, skin rashes, infectious diseases, eye and lung irritation, developmental problems, and broken bones. Population hazards also include habitat destruction, resource degradation, threats to public health from contamination of drinking water, bacterial resistance to antibiotics, famine, and such macroconcerns as global climate change.
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