OUTLINE OF A PUBLIC-HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT METHOD

An index for the integral characterization of risk is necessary for im proving risk management, comparing the effects of various practices on the environment and keeping risk as low as reasonably achievable whil e allowing economic development. Based on the previous concepts of pub lic health risk assessment and radiation protection assessment and fro m the viewpoint of risk management, this paper examines how to use suc h an index for public risk to compare the effects from various contami nants and to make a comprehensive assessment of the total effect cause d by different contaminants.