Risk-Benefit Analysis for Industrial and Social Needs.
Abstract
This study develops a decision method for evaluating the social acceptability of industrial controls on hazardous materials. Decisions are based on a 'multiple criteria approach' that jointly considers measures such as risk-benefit tradeoff, minimum reducible health risk, maximum acceptable cost, and implicit value of human life. Health risks are calculated by combining separate estimates of production and usage patterns, emissions to air and water, effectiveness of controls, pollutant dispersion, and human susceptibility. Economic benefits consider employment, trade, and consumer impacts as well as direct costs of controls. The analysis focuses on asbestos as an example hazard. Relative values of hazard reduction alternatives are examined for asbestos manufacturing exhaust filters and for asbestos substitutes in brake linings. Preliminary calculations indicate risk reductions of these alternatives cannot justify their social costs. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 17, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA030174
Entities
People
- Dennis P. Tihansky
- Kendall D. Moll
Organizations
- George Washington University