Risk Assessment

What is risk?
While there are many definitions of the word risk, EPA considers risk to be the chance of harmful effects to human health or to ecological systems resulting from exposure to an environmental stressor. Learn about "stressors" and other frequent questions under Learn about risk assessment (below).
What is a human health risk assessment?
A human health risk assessment is the process to estimate the nature and probability of adverse health effects in humans who may be exposed to chemicals in contaminated environments.
What is an ecological risk assessment?
An ecological risk assessment is the process for evaluating how likely it is that the environment may be impacted as a result of exposure to one or more environmental stressors such as chemicals, land change, disease, invasive species and climate change.

EPA uses risk assessment to characterize the nature and magnitude of health risks to humans and ecological receptors from chemical contaminants and other stressors, that may be present in the environment.

Risk Assessment

Resources for Environmental Professionals

Recent Announcements

Risk Calendar

9/30-10/1: Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory Panel review of EPA draft Assessment Report on Hydraulic Fracturing
10/19: Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory Panel review of EPA draft Assessment Report on Hydraulic Fracturing
10/28-30: Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory Panel review of EPA draft Assessment Report on Hydraulic Fracturing
10/29: IRIS Public Science Meeting - [meeting postponed]

Risk Assessment

What is risk?

What is a human health risk assessment?

What is an ecological risk assessment?

Risk Assessment

Resources for Environmental Professionals

Recent Announcements

Risk Calendar