Final Program World Congress on Risk - The Society for Risk Analysis

Tuesday Posters (continued)
P2.11 Risk Analysis in Phytosanitary and Regulatory Agriculture
Applications
Sequeira, R.A. (USDA)
Risk analysis in phytosanitary applications is unique. However,
risk analysis is central to biological trade and commerce (animal
products, fruits and vegetables). Unlike environmental and toxicological
risk assessments, the analysis of exposure and the concept
of ‘dose-response’ are not key factors. The main elements of
regulatory risk analysis in agriculture are presented. Emerging areas
in phytosanitary risk assessment are also outlined. Specifically,
the poster discusses spatial analysis in phytosanitary applications
and illustrates the topic with some case examples.
P2.12 Risk and Governance in the Third <strong>World</strong>
Countries:Bangladesh Context
Karim, N., Shaheen, N. (University of Dhaka, Bangladesh)
The terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 in USA has pursued
a world-wide trend toward making better use of risk oriented
concepts, tools,thought and mobilizing public opinion.Besides this,
efforts have been giving to develop a methodology on the basis of
experiences and expertise in the perspective of recent advancements
in assessment, management to reduce risk.In this regard, it
can be said that, it is particularly a critical at a time when globalization
has redefined not only our understanding of the national and the
nation-state but also the international and the global basis.
However,the main theme of my paper will be to seek avenues to
reduce risk with sufficient governance in the context of Bangladesh.
P2.13 Risk Perception and Decision Making at the
United States Department of Agriculture
Venette, S.J., Sellnow, T.L. (North Dakota State University); Venette,
R.C. (University of Minnesota)
This study, first, identified how the United States Department
of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) communicates and
interprets risk when making resource allocation decisions. This study
drew upon literature that explains how people perceive risk and how
risk communication helps construct an interpretation of reality.
The data revealed that risk aversion is a determinant of risk
perception. Generally, the less risk tolerant a person was, the greater
their assessment of risk. The project also explored experience and
risk aversion (among other variables) as determinants of risk perception.
Correlation analysis failed to identify a significant relationship
between experience and the perception of risk. However, multinomial
logit modeling revealed that experience factors did significantly
affect high risk perceptions. As action-oriented research, this
project was designed to meet the needs of the USDA and to expand
understanding of risk communication.
This study uses concepts from Communication, Economics,
Microbiology, Risk Analysis, and Food Safety.
P2.14 An Introduction and Enunciation of Key Concepts
and Methodological Techniques
Jarvis, D.S.L. (University of Sydney, Australia)
This presentation analyses the concept of political risk and
explores its utility as a means of understanding political events and
processes that can threaten order, stability and continuity in international
relations and disrupt the normal practices of interstate investment,
trade, and commerce. More particularly, the presentation is
an attempt to systematize and codify the disparate literature that
surrounds the concept of political risk such that it might be more
rigorously applied as a social science method for understanding
political events and their effects upon commercial and strategic
activities.
P2.15 U.S. EPA Internet Tools for Assessing Hazardous
Waste Sites
Dolislager, F.G., Galloway, L.D. (University of Tennessee)
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory and The University of
Tennessee have developed on-line tools for the U.S. EPA that assist
in assessing hazardous waste sites. These tools are: Soil Screening
Level Guidance for Chemicals (SSL), Soil Screening Level Guidance
for Radionuclides, and Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRG)
for Radionuclides. These tools are available to the general public.
Tools potentially to be made available to the public are: Preliminary
Remediation Goals for Chemicals, HEAST Toxicity Values, PRTV
Toxicity Values, and Radionuclide Dose Cleanup Concentrations.
Every one of these tools are designed to disseminate useful information
in a clear and concise fashion. A scroll-and-select menu system
is employed for selection of chemicals/radionuclides and the following
screening pathways: Residential Soil (PRG), Outdoor Worker
Soil (PRG), Indoor Worker Soil (PRG), Tap Water (PRG), Fish Ingestion
(PRG), Soil to Ground Water (PRG and SSL), Agricultural Soil
(PRG), Ingestion (SSL), Inhalation of Fugative Dust (SSL), and External
Exposure (SSL) and Inhalation of Volatiles (SSL). These tools
povide great detail of operational guidance. The equations presented
are filled with U.S. EPA standard default exposure parameters; however,
it is possible to change these parameters with site-specific
data. When used in the context of a decision-making process, the
parameter selections and decisions are clearer and more relevant.
Thus, consensus-building is facilitated because the decision authority
is shifted towards all stakeholders. The implementation of an
online and transparent process, with public and stakeholder involvement,
helps to reinforce public trust and credibility currently plaguing
the risk assessment field and community.
41