Uncertainty in risk assessment. Current efforts and future hopes.
The incorporation of sampling variability in estimates of excess risk has been part of risk assessment practice for decades. Currently, there is a strong desire to incorporate understanding of biological mechanisms into the models used for exposure assessment and exposure-response modeling. In addition, representing population heterogeneity in the assessment of risks and the identification of sensitive subpopulations is of great concern. Finally, the communication of uncertainty and variability remains a challenge to risk assessors. Based upon the presentations of workshop faculty, a summary of current practice when addressing uncertainty together with conjectures concerning future challenges for addressing uncertainty, are presented.
Bailer
A J
AJ
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056-1641, USA. ajbailer@muohio.edu
D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018401:Sample Size; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004785:Environmental Pollutants