Risk Assessment Modeling

According to the EPA, a hazard is a potential source of harm, and risk is the probability of adverse effects resulting from exposure to an environmental agent or mixture of agents.

Risk assessment is the evaluation of scientific information on the hazardous properties of environmental agents, the dose-response relationship, and the extent of human exposure to those agents, culminating in a statement regarding the probability that populations or individuals so exposed will be harmed and to what degree.

(U.S. EPA: IRIS - Integrated Risk Information System)

Who Needs Risk Assessment?

Simply put, the greater the risk, the more likely the hazard will cause harm. (DiNardi, S.R. 1997. The Occupational Environment – Its Evaluation and Control. American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA): Fairfax, Virginia.) So quantifying risk is absolutely essential to managing potentially hazardous sites and processes.

If you own or contemplate owning a site or facility that carries potential hazardous exposures to the workforce, environment or surrounding populations, risk assessment modeling is a vital tool for

predicting the adverse effects (e.g., cancer) of occupational exposures
predicting the adverse effects (e.g., diseases and birth defects) from environmental exposures of a population
predicting the adverse effects to the environment, including air, groundwater, soil & wildlife
demonstrating compliance of your existing site with regulatory guidelines
meeting regulatory requirements for your planned site.

The Risk Assessment Process

Hazard Characterization & Dose-Response Assessment

Compile exposure data
- from the site if it exists
- from similar sites if site is in planning stage

Exposure Assessment

Identify and apply appropriate air dispersion models
Import resulting data into equations to determine concentrations in soil, air, foods, etc.
Assess human health risk or environmental impact

Risk Characterization

Issue a statement (verbal or written) regarding the probability of harmful exposure and the degree of harm it might cause.

Our Experience

Environmental Profiles risk assessment professionals are experienced in:

regulatory compliance
personal exposure
air and groundwater modeling
BIF (hazardous waste incinerators)
real estate

If you have questions about risk assessment modeling or would like more information about our risk assessment experience and capabilities, contact at (410) 744-0700.

813 Frederick Road
Baltimore, MD 21228

(410) 744-0700
(410) 744-2003 FAX