Table of Contents

Introduction to Ecological Risk Assessment. Defining the Field. Other Types of Assessments. Ecological Risk Assessment Frameworks. Ecological Epidemiology and Causal Analysis. Variability, Uncertainty, and Probability. Dimensions, Scales, and Levels of Organization. Modes and Mechanisms of Action. Mixed and Multiple Agents. Quality Assurance. Planning and Problem Formulation. Impetus and Mandate. Goals and Objectives. Management Options. Agents and Sources. Environmental Description. Exposure Scenarios. Assessment Endpoints. Conceptual Models. Analysis Plans. Analysis of Exposure. Source Identification and Characterization. Sampling, Analysis, and Assays. Mathematical Models of Chemical Transport and Fate. Exposure to Chemicals and Other Agents. Analysis of Effects. Exposure–Response Relationships. Testing. Biological Surveys. Organism-Level Extrapolation Models. Population Modeling. Ecosystem Effects Modeling. Risk Characterization. Criteria and Benchmarks. Integrating Exposure and Exposure–Response. Screening Characterization. Definitive Risk Characterization by Weighing the Evidence. Comparative Risk Characterization. Characterizing Variability, Uncertainty, and Incomplete Knowledge. Risk Management. Reporting and Communicating Ecological Risks. Decision Making and Ecological Risks. Integration of Human Health Risk Assessment. Integration of Risk, Law, Ethics, Economics, and Preferences. Monitoring the Results of Risk Management. The Future of Ecological Risk Assessment. Glossary. References. Index.

About the Author

Glenn W. Suter II

Reviews

Reflecting on the evolution of ERA and changes in the field over the past 25 years, this book is, without question, the definitive reference on the current practice of ERA ... Throughout the book, Suter has succeeded in maintaining the emphasis squarely on providing clear, scientifically sound, and unbiased technical advice and instruction on ERA. --Richard Wenning, Editor-in-Chief, IEAM, in IEAM, 2008, Vol. 4, No. 1