Example Of EPA’s Approach To Risk Assessment For Hazardous Contaminants Essay

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and fires are akin to man-made disasters like food, which are contaminated with hazardous materials that will put people’s lives at risk. Risk, as defined in a Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA mitigation report (1997), is “the potential losses associated with a hazard defined in terms of expected probability, frequency, exposure and consequences” (p. xxv). Both these disasters bring detrimental results to people who experience it and who are about to experience these cataclysms.
FEMA (1997) provided five major elements for the strategy they are going to use for atmospheric hazards like typhoons or tornados. These are as follows: (1) hazard identification and risk assessment; (2) applied research and technology transfer; (3) public awareness, training and education; (4) incentives and resources; and (5) leadership coordination. On the other hand, Broder and Tucker (2012) underscored the things that should be considered in hazardous contaminants. They are the following: (1) problem identification (2) risk exposure assessment; (3) security checklist; (4) quantification and prioritization of loss potential; and (5) cost/benefit analysis.
FEMA (1997) should identify and assess the similarities and risks of both atmospheric hazards and hazardous contaminants. Broder and Tucker (2012) assert that the problem should be identified and the risk exposure assessed. Since FEMA deals a lot with natural disasters, they opted to conduct researches that may help minimize the catastrophe’s consequences in the future. After that, the agency will disseminate information in the form of training. The agency will provide resources for trained people so that they may carry out their desired means for preventing and minimizing the risks. In addition, Broder and Tucker (2012) indicate that a security checklist is a tool used to examine the severity of the damage brought about by the hazardous contaminants. The loss potential is also quantified, and a cost/benefit analysis is conducted since hazardous contaminants affect products.
In conclusion, it is very important for both types of atmospheric hazards and hazardous contaminants to first be identified and for their risks to be assessed. This will enable the determination of the necessary measurements to be used for them.

References

Broder, J. and Tucker, E. (2012). Risk analysis and security survey. (4th ed.) Waltham, USA:
Butterworth- Heinemann.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (1997). Multi hazard identification and risk