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Facts and Values in Risk Analysis for Environmental Toxicants

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  • Alice S. Whittemore

Abstract

The U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy describes toxic substance regulation as composed of two stages. Stage I (facts) uses empirical data and scientific judgment to characterize human exposure and risk. Stage II (values) uses social and political judgment to decide regulatory action based on significance of the risk, benefits of the agent, and costs of its control. This paper argues that such a view represents an unrealistic and unattainable goal. We present examples showing how values enter virtually every part of risk analysis, and we review work on the vagaries in human judgment concerning both facts and values. These issues indicate that U.S. regulatory policy needs reconsideration.

Suggested Citation

  • Alice S. Whittemore, 1983. "Facts and Values in Risk Analysis for Environmental Toxicants," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 3(1), pages 23-33, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:3:y:1983:i:1:p:23-33
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1983.tb00103.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Nancy Kraus & Torbjörn Malmfors & Paul Slovic, 1992. "Intuitive Toxicology: Expert and Lay Judgments of Chemical Risks," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(2), pages 215-232, June.
    2. Dale B. Hattis, 1986. "The Promise of Molecular Epidemiology for Quantitative Risk Assessment," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 6(2), pages 181-193, June.
    3. George L. Carlo & Nora L. Lee & Kelly G. Sund & Sydney D. Pettygrove, 1992. "The Interplay of Science, Values, and Experiences Among Scientists Asked to Evaluate the Hazards of Dioxin, Radon, and Environmental Tobacco Smoke," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(1), pages 37-43, March.
    4. Robert B. Cumming, 1983. "Risk Assessment and the Governmental Policy‐Making Process," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 3(1), pages 1-3, March.
    5. B. Jon Klauenberg & Erik K. Vermulen, 1994. "Role for Risk Communication in Closing Military Waste Sites," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(3), pages 351-356, June.

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