ELI Research Brief #4 - Reorienting Risk Assessment

Author
Paul Locke, Environmental Law Institute
Date Released
December 1994

Out Of Print

Used to evaluate environmental hazards and to set environmental health standards, risk assessment has increasingly captured the attention of policy makers. But to date, the EPA`s risk methodology concentrates almost exclusively on cancer, down-playing potential problems such as birth defects, neurotoxicity, and immune system damage. With roughly eight risk assessment bills or provisions pending in Congress, Reorienting Risk Assessment critically examines the current risk assessment paradigm and offers detailed suggestions for examining noncancer risks as well as cancer risks.