Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 4 Volume Set

HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT FOR RADIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL ATTACKS*

ELLEN RABER AND ROBERT D. KIRVEL

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California

1 INTRODUCTION

A working definition of “risk” in the context of human health and intentional contamination events is the probability of adverse effects resulting from exposure to an environmental agent or a mixture of agents [1]. An “agent” has been defined [2] as a chemical, physical, mineralogical, or biological entity that may cause deleterious effects in an organism after exposure to it. Risk assessment can be generally regarded as either a scientific discipline or a professional process that involves the quantitative or qualitative estimation of potentially adverse health effects arising from exposure to hazards, such as the agents identified above. This principle and its importance regarding human health exposure are supported by guidance recently issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Executive Office of the President [3].

Rather than being a stand-alone process, risk assessment is usually viewed as one component of a broader process known as “risk analysis”, which includes risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication [4]. Risk management is a decision-making process that accounts for political, social, economic, and engineering implications together with risk-related information to develop, analyze, and compare management options and select the appropriate managerial response ...