ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT

                                                                 
                                             


Risk assessment is defined as the process of estimating the like likelihood of harm being done to human health and/or ecosystems through factors as results of human activities that reach their target via natural environment.

The objective of risk assessment is therefore to apply risk assessment and management processes to provide a basis for decision-making in environmental management that balances the responsibilities to protect the environment and mankind, with the basic needs and realism for economic development. This document, enhanced by its quantitative scientific study can provide a basis to the decision makers before considering developments in environmentally sensitive areas.

Two main approaches of risk assessments are the retrospective and the prospective risk assessment. The initial risk assessment involves the task of determining hazard definition, threshold evaluation and risk characterization. When a critical threshold parameter is being exceeded, then the process of prioritizing the hazards is being executed. This then will lead to identifying the source of hazards and management options to address the risks. This will eventually lead to a process of screening of technical/economic/social choices, and feasibility of adopting the optimal options in addressing the threat. After all the evaluations have taken place, the cost-benefit analysis of each option and the cost-effective alternatives would be accordingly determined.

After analyzing and ascertaining that the benefit of implementing the options can at least outweigh its cost (considering their market and non-market values), a management decision will be made after considering all the interactive factors of economic, political and social. Lastly an implementation program will be drawn-up to address the issue. Among others this would consist of instituting control with standard prevailing methods; using market-based instruments; establishing education, training, information dissemination and awareness programs; and monitoring and surveillance for compliance.