Comparative Risk Analysis in Hamilton County: Science and Politics. Vlasta Molak, GAIA UNLIMITED, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio; and Walter Handy, Cincinnati Health Department, Cincinnati, Ohio
Comparative Risk Analysis project in Hamilton County, Ohio is bringing together community, business, governmental and scientific representatives to cooperatively assess environmental risks, develop priorities and recommend action plans. Utilizing approaches which have worked successfully in other states and communities, the proposed CRA project will develop a county-wide consensus on our most important environmental issues. These approaches rely upon both scientific data and, community values.
Starting with a review of available data on different environmental concerns, the proposed project will develop a scientific risk ranking. Each environmental concern will be evaluated using accepted risk analysis methods for its environmental impact and impact on human health. The scientific uncertainty in each derived risk number will also be carefully evaluated. Then, through public meetings and other means of communication, the perspectives of individual citizens and communities will be obtained to modify the scientific issue-by-issue ratings. The end product, a ranking of a large number of specific issues, will help elected officials, regulators, business and industry, citizens and the news media focus resources and public attention on the highest priority issues first. Upon completion of the ranking, the CRI project will develop a specific list of actions which should be undertaken to address the highest priority issues. Those proposed options will also be evaluated for their possible impact on human health and environment using accepted risk analysis methods.
The project proposed for Hamilton County will not duplicate efforts of any other comparative risk analysis project in Ohio; it will supplement the state-wide project with the best data available at the local level, as well as assure that Hamilton County interests and issues are given appropriate consideration at the state level. The result of a Hamilton County CRI project should be a blueprint for future community involvement and planning--and an alternative to crisis management of environmental issues.