Environmental Risk Harmonization: Federal/State Approaches to Environmental Hazards in the US (Ecological & Environmental Toxicology Series)

This is a truly timely and superbly written source of information on current US federal and state practices for all those involved in environmental risk assessment, irrespective of their scientific background. It addresses for the first time, the internal conflict between risk assessment and risk management among and between government units. There is growing dissatisfaction and concern amongst scientists at the misinterpretation of raw data and the implications of these disparities in the making of policy decisions which in turn affect society.

This clear and authoritative account enables provocative insight into the use of science into risk assessment and risk management, providing an invaluable source of information in the emerging and increasingly important topic of risk harmonization. Focusing on the environment as a source of risk to humans, contributing authors from US federal and state agencies, Health Canada, WHO and other stakeholders present a definitive and balanced account of the key issues under consideration. The book includes case studies and examples with direct parallels to the situation in Europe and the rest of the world. Comprehensive appendices covering existing and proposed risk assessment and risk management guidelines, in addition to reports illustrating important harmonization issues, are also included.

Within today's scientific community there is growing dissatisfaction and concern at the way that scientific data are used in the managerial and legislative processes that ultimately lead to environmental policy decisions which in turn affect society in general. Disparities in risk assessment and risk management among and between government units that have resulted from the current approach are comprehensively addressed for the first time by this book. Environmental Risk Harmonization provides an invaluable source of information for all those involved in the emerging and increasingly important topic of risk harmonization, irrespective of their background. Given the rapidly increasing attention being paid to this topic, this is a timely reference providing accurate information on current US federal and state practices and also on proposals for improvements in the assessment and management of environmental risks. Focusing on the environment as a source of risk to humans, contributing authors from US federal and state agencies, Health Canada, WHO and other stakeholders present a definitive and balanced account of the key issues under consideration. Environmental Risk Harmonization includes case studies and examples with direct parallels to the situation in Europe and the rest of the world. Comprehensive appendices covering existing and proposed risk assessment and risk management guidelines, in addition to reports illustrating important harmonization issues, are also included.