Provides an introduction to the basic paradigm for quantitative risk assessment and illustrates its application in the public policy process using case studies. Examines risk assessment in a broad societal context, considering social, economic, and political factors that affect risk decision-making; evolution of risk assessment; and the use of risk assessment in regulatory processes. Students complete a risk assessment exercise.

Grades for the course will be based on the homework exercises, two short quizzes, and class participation (representing 80%, 10%, and 10% of the final grade, respectively). The homework exercises will address the four steps of risk assessment and will be based on a risk case study. Class participation will be graded based on participation in LiveTalks and contributions to the course BBS.

The short quizzes will be based on course material and LiveTalks. The first quiz will be posted and available February 12th at 9:00 a.m. and will due by February 15th at 11:59 p.m. The second quiz will be posted and available March 10th at 9:00 a.m. and will due by March 13th at 11:59 p.m.

Several short exercises will be completed by the student. These include individually assigned portions of the DNC case study, which will be distributed throughout the course. Each portion (exercise) will emphasize one aspect of the NRC risk assessment paradigm.

For each exercise, written answers are to be submitted electronically to the Drop Box before 11:59 p.m. on the due date.

Extensive reading assignments will be assigned from the course E-Reserves which are available at http://eres.welch.jhmi.edu/coursepage.asp?cid=206. The password for the readings will be 317600sph. Reading assignments are listed in the lecture schedule. Supplemental readings, e.g. current event clippings or guest lecture materials, will be posted to E-Reserves as needed.

In addition to readings associated with specific lectures, it will also be necessary to download the following document: The EPA’s The Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/raf/recordisplay.cfm?deid=116283

Supplemental readings
The books below have been placed on reserve in the Lilienfeld Library, 9th Floor, Hampton House, required readings from these texts are in the course reader.

Burke, T., Tran, N., Roemer, J., and C. Henry, eds. (1993). Regulating risk: The science and politics of risk. Washington, DC, International Life Sciences Institute.

Committee on the Institutional Means for Assessment of Risks to Public Health, U.S. National Research Council. (1983). Risk assessment in the federal government: Managing the process. Washington, DC, National Academy Press.

Committee on Risk Assessment of Hazardous Air Pollutants, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, and Commission on Life Sciences, U.S. National Research Council. (1994). Science and judgment in risk assessment. Washington, DC, National Academy Press.

Rodricks, J.V. (1992). Calculated risks. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press. 

The books below are suggested for further reference.

Committee on Risk Perception and Communication, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Resources, U.S. National Research Council (1989). Improving risk communication. Washington, DC, National Academy Press.

Fischoff, B., Lichteinstein, S., Slovic, P., Derby, S., and Keeney, R. (1981). Acceptable risk. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press.

Klaassen, C., ed. (1996). Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The basic science of poisons. New York, NY, McGraw-Hill.

Lowrance, William W. (1976). Of acceptable risk: Science and the determination of safety. Los Altos, CA, William Kaufmann, Inc.

Committee on Risk Characterization, and Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, U.S. National Research Council. (1996). Understanding risk: Informing decisions in a democratic society. Washington, DC, National Academy Press.

Fan, A. and L. Chang, eds. (1996). Toxicology and risk assessment: Principles, methods, and applications. New York, NY, Marcel Dekker, Inc.

Glickman, T. & Gough, M. eds (1990). Readings in risk. Washington, DC, Resources for the Future.

Please send all course related email to the following address: riskta_online@jhsph.edu Faculty Thomas Burke, PhD, MPH Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and Training Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management Hampton House 624 North Broadway Room 429 Email: tburke@jhsph.edu Phone: 410-614-4587 Fax: 410-614-4535 Teaching Assistant Joanna Zablotsky Email: riskta_online@jhsph.edu Juleen Lam Email: riskta_online@jhsph.edu Ramya Chari Email: riskta_online@jhsph.edu