title: Why proof of safety is much more difficult than proof of hazard.
abstract: On the basis of simple, generally accepted biostatistical and public health principles, it is shown that for environmental health hazards a proof of safety is much more difficult than a proof of hazard. The effective sample sizes required for proof of safety are orders of magnitude greater than what is feasible in biostatistical-epidemiological studies. Although many assurances of safety "in the name of science" have been issued by government agencies and others, few if any of these assurances are statistically valid.
mesh_terms: D000056:Accident Prevention; D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D001699:Biometry; D006801:Humans; D009026:Mortality; D011634:Public Health; D012306:Risk; D012449:Safety