title: On modeling correlated random variables in risk assessment.
abstract: Monte Carlo methods in risk assessment are finding increasingly widespread application. With the recognition that inputs may be correlated, the incorporation of such correlations into the simulation has become important. Most implementations rely upon the method of Iman and Conover for generating correlated random variables. In this work, alternative methods using copulas are presented for deriving correlated random variables. It is further shown that the particular algorithm or assumption used may have a substantial effect on the output results, due to differences in higher order bivariate moments.
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science, Engineering & Policy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Haas
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000009:adverse effects; D004147:Dioxins / Q000009:adverse effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; D004147:Dioxins; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006256:Hazardous Waste