Risk Analysis and Society An Interdisciplinary Characterization of the Field

This 2004 book views risk analysis as one important basis for informed debate, policy decisions and governance regarding risk issues within societies. Its twelve chapters provide interdisciplinary insights about the fundamental issues in risk analysis for the beginning of a new century. The chapter authors are some of the leading researchers in the broad fields that provide the basis for the risk analysis, including the social, natural, medical, engineering and physical sciences. They address a wide range of issues, including: new perspectives on uncertainty and variability analysis, exposure analysis and the role of precaution, environmental risk and justice, risk valuation and citizen involvement, extreme events, the role of efficiency in risk management, and the assessment and governance of transboundary and global risks. The book will be used as a starting point for discussions at the 2003 First World Congress on Risk, to be held in Brussels.

1. Introduction: Risk analysis and society: an interdisciplinary characterization of the field Timothy L. McDaniels and Mitchell J. Small; Part I. Fundamental Character of Risk: 2. The conception of variability in risk analyses: developments since 1980 Dale Hattis; 3. Mechanistic considerations in the harmonization of dose-response methodology: the role of redundancy at different levels of biological organization Lorenz R. Rhomberg; 4. Risk of extreme and rare events: lessons from a selection of approaches Vicki M. Bier, Scott Ferson, Yacov Y. Haimes, James H. Lambert and Mitchell Small; 5. Environmental risk and justice Mary R. English; Part II. Methods for Risk Assessment: 6. Uncertain risk: the role and limits of quantitative assessment Alison C. Cullen and Mitchell J. Small; 7. Valuing risk management choices Robin S. Gregory; 8. The role of efficiency in risk management John D. Graham, Per-Olov Johansson and Junko Nakanishi; Part III. New Approaches and Needs for Risk Management: 9. The challenge of integrating participation and discourse in risk management Ortwin Renn; 10. Global change and transboundary risks Joyce Tait and Ann Bruce; 11. Environmental risks and developing countries: an Asian perspective Michinori Kabuto, Saburo Ikeda and Iwao Uchiyama; Summary and Future Directions: 12. State of the art and new directions in risk assessment and risk management: fundamental issues of measurement and management Rae Zimmerman and Robin Cantor.