A schematic illustration shows the flow of information leading from laboratory data to an estimation of risk expressed as a frequency distribution of effects.
Can environmental risk analysis be made a routine part of integrated assessments?
Codes exist to integrate laboratory toxicological data with an aquatic ecosystem model, the Standard Water Column Model (SWACOM), and calculate risk to biota. The approach is being routinely applied to environmental problems.
O'Neill, R. V., R. H. Gardner, L. W. Barnthouse, G. W. Suter, S. G. Hildebrand, and C. W. Gehrs. 1982. Ecosystem risk analysis: A new methodology. Journal of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 1:167-177.
Bartell, S. M., R. H. Gardner, and R. V. O'Neill. 1992. Ecological Risk Estimation. Lewis Publishers, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Integrated Assessment Briefs. 1995. ORNL/M-4227. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN.