Divergence between general public's risk perception and environmental risk assessment: A case study of p-xylene projects in China

The growing public opposition to p-xylene (PX) project proposals in China requires understanding the divergence between the general public's risk perception and environmental risk assessment (ERA) results and its implications on its decision-making. In a case study in Fujian Province of China, a questionnaire was designed to investigate the public perception of risks of a proposed PX project, interviews were further conducted in Zhangzhou City and Xiamen City, and the survey results were compared with the ERA results of the proposed PX project. Results indicate that the environmental risk is acceptable according to current technical ERA guidelines and standards, while the public acceptance of the PX project is very low. The underlying factors causing the difference between the general public's risk perception and ERA results were identified from the ERA technical perspective. A better understanding of the risk perception divergence from different disciplinary perspectives is helpful for the public acceptance of these kinds of projects, which are on high demand in China. This study not only highlights the necessity to improve the risk communication but also provides insights on future research of ERA for this kind of large-scale project proposal.     

A new approach for environmental risk assessment

Environmental problems, such as global warming, the limited supply of sustainable energy, the depletion of natural resources, hazardous emissions released into the atmosphere and waste, are increasing global concerns. Therefore, individuals, communities, and businesses need to address environmental protection and sustainability. Environmental impact assessments are needed to identify, mitigate, and control aspects that affect the environment or a company's products, services, or activities. In this study, a general environmental aspect and impact assessment approach, which can be applied to any company that is involved in the production or service sector, is created. An environmental impact pattern that consists of 10 main and 32 sub-categories was formed based on the ISO 14001, environmental studies and field applications. The developed approach was applied to the dyeing units of a manufacturing firm. Sixteen environmental aspects were identified and assessed using the environmental impact template via the environmental failure mode and effect analysis (E-FMEA) method. The developed-approach can be applied to each sector, which will enable us to perform a detailed analysis of the environmental aspects in the environmental impact category. This approach provides a checklist for the environmental impact studies of businesses and has been pioneered as an effective method for company resources to improve their environmental performance.     

Site-specific risk assessment and integrated management decision-making: A case study of a typical heavy metal contaminated site,Middle China

A typical contaminated land was spatially investigated and assessed based on Chinese guidelines to establish remediation strategy for exploring the shortcomings of the current guidelines to suggest improvements. Results showed that Cr, As, Pb, and Cd should be regarded as the priority pollutants under sensitive land use, while Cr and As should be regarded as the priority pollutants under insensitive land use. Ingestion of soil for each studied metal appeared to be the main exposure pathway under both the land uses. The calculated screening values of the priority metals were conservative to certain extent—even some were lower than their background values. Therefore, an integrated risk management strategy was suggested and the hierarchic clean-up values were proposed considering the health risk, local background value, land remediation cases, current remediation technology, and financial cost. Consequently, it was suggested the clean-up values of Cr(VI), Cr, As, Pb, and Cd, under future sensitive land use, should be 7.5, 1000, 30, 250, and 1.4 mg/kg in the first class control layer, respectively. For future insensitive land use, the clean-up values of Cr(VI), Cr, As, Pb, and Cd should be 20.4, 8000, 60, 580, and 4.3 mg/kg in the first class control layer, respectively.     

区域综合生态风险评价框架——以雄安新区为例

构建区域生态风险评价框架有助于清晰地识别、评估、模拟、预测与管理区域生态风险,进而为区域生态安全网络构建和生态安全格局保障提供支撑。雄安新区的建设,使该区域面临巨大的土地利用变化,对区域生态系统的结构和功能产生不可忽视的影响,洪涝和干旱灾害对雄安新区及其周边区域生态系统具有显著的威胁。以雄安新区为例,构建包含暴露-响应关系、人为源和自然源相结合的区域综合生态风险评价框架,分别对城市化和气候变化背景下的雄安新区土地利用变化、洪涝灾害、干旱灾害三类胁迫引起的区域生态风险进行了评价和预测,确定其生态风险空间分布特征及变化趋势。结果表明：(1)从时间序列上来看,由于气候变化导致洪涝、干旱等自然灾害的影响,加上雄安新区的土地利用变化,雄安新区的生态风险在2025年后有所上升,但有序的规划和良好的地类配置使得雄安新区起步区在2025年后生态风险程度下降;(2)从空间上看,雄安新区风险高值区主要集中在白洋淀区以西和以南,以及新区东北部部分区域。最后,从土地利用管理、洪涝和干旱灾害预防等角度提出了生态风险防控对策：(1)雄安新区应坚持对土地利用的合理规划和严格管理,切实防止土地的无序利用,密切关注景观...     

Integrated environmental risk assessment approach for transportation modes

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to develop and implement new integrated environmental risk assessment for transportation activities. With this purpose, environmental risks occur from transportation activities from different transportation modes which are air, road, sea and rail are determined. Transportation modes are compared with the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach in order to obtain importance weights and impact categories of air, soil and water are used as criteria where the weights are determined with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). For the risk assessment process, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) has been used and prioritizations of risks are calculated with weights of the calculated transportation modes. In the study, integrated multi-criteria decision-making methods with the classic FMEA method with different categories of impacts reveal new multidimensional perspective to classic environmental risk assessment methods.     

我国环境功能评价与区划方案

我国地区间自然环境和社会经济发展差异悬殊,主体发展功能和环境功能定位各不相同。从环境功能的角度出发,统筹考虑各环境要素,建立基于环境功能区划的环境管理制度具有重要的理论和现实意义。采用RS与GIS技术的空间评价方法,构建了基于环境功能评价和主导因素法的环境功能区划技术体系,在对全国自然生态环境及社会经济发展科学评估的基础上,充分衔接现有的相关区划与规划,明确全国环境功能区划方案。国土面积的53.2%划为自然生态保留区和生态功能保育区,为国民经济的健康持续发展提供生态安全保障;国土面积的46.8%划为食物环境安全保障区、聚居环境维护区和资源开发环境引导区,主要从事农业生产、城镇化和工业化开发以及资源开发利用,是国民经济和社会发展活动的主要集中地区,重点维护人群健康。环境功能区划是改变环境保护目标制定和考核中"一刀切"现象的基础性研究,实行环境分区管理和分类指导,促进实现环境保护管理战略转型。     

华北地区冬小麦干旱风险区划

灾害风险评估与区划是是实现灾害应急管理向风险管理转变的关键。综合考虑了影响灾害风险大小的自然属性和社会属性,从多角度选取了干旱灾害强度、基于冬小麦干旱指数的干旱频率、基于灾损的干旱频率、灾年减产率变异系数、区域农业经济发展水平、抗灾性能指数等6个风险评估指标。通过引入CCA排序方法,揭示了不同风险评估指标之间的相关关系以及评估指标与相对气象产量的关系;并以确定的风险评估指标和相对气象产量之间的关系为基础,构建了不考虑抗灾和考虑抗灾2种风险指数。对比两种风险指数分析结果,表明在抗灾和不抗灾2种条件下,华北地区冬小麦干旱风险格局发生了明显改变。说明在当前农业生产水平下,人类的减灾抗灾和风险管理水平对冬小麦生产起着至关重要的作用。最后,以模糊聚类分析为手段,以考虑抗灾能力的风险指数和灾年减产率为分类标准进行聚类,实现了华北地区冬小麦干旱风险综合区划。     

基于氮排放估算的区域生态风险评价——以中国台湾地区为例

随着全球人口不断成长,农业生产、工业发展、能源消耗及生活消费等人类活动不断增加,对城市区域乃至于区域生态系统均带来显著负面影响。为量化评估人类活动对区域生态系统的影响,以人类活动产生的氮排放为切入点,选择中国台湾地区为研究区,针对其高投入的农业生产、密集的交通工业设施及人口分布等背景,构建了基于氮排放的区域生态风险评价研究框架。分析了2001年至2010年中国台湾地区农业及城市系统所产生的氮排放变化情况,并在空间上比较了各县市的氮排放差异;其次,依据各用地类型特点,定义了其对氮排放压力的脆弱程度,藉以评估中国台湾地区生态风险变化及其潜在风险强度。研究结果表明中国台湾地区2005至2010年期间氮排放带来的生态风险值先降后升,主要原因源于期间农业活动产生的氮排放减少,但交通运输带来能源消耗却明显增加了氮排放;通过分区比较,确定低风险县市主要包括金门县、连江县、澎湖县、新竹市、嘉义市及基隆市,而台中市、屏东县、台南市、高雄市及新北市,由于农业生产活动密集且人口分布密度高,为中国台湾地区高生态风险区。     

Nanomaterials as a potential environmental pollutant: Overview of existing risk assessment methodologies

The development and use of engineered nanomaterials is increasing rapidly and there are already a large number of consumer products containing nanomaterials. The possible release of nanomaterials from these products is still uncertain, as is their final fate and effects in the environment. Regulators need to deal with this lack of data when carrying out risk assessment and modify the existing risk assessment approaches to adapt them to the unique features of nanomaterials. Here we give an overview of various risk assessment approaches for nanomaterials developed worldwide, in which we describe their strengths and limitations, and have evaluated two of them, the Nano Risk Framework and the Precautionary Matrix for specific cases. Many properties of engineered nanomaterials are unknown and this causes deficiencies in the approaches studied. It is therefore essential to increase the present scarce data on nanomaterials released in the environment and close the gaps in the current methodologies to perform adequate risk assessment for nanomaterials.     

Environmental risk assessment of the municipal solid waste in a city-state: A case study of Macao

The article is the evaluation in the practice of risk assessment for city-states. The Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model was applied to the establishment of an environmental risk assessment indicator system. Environmental risk index (ERI) and each subsystem index were calculated through an analytic hierarchy process. It takes the municipal solid waste (MSW) in Macao as a case study to execute. The risk grading and the potential risk for the MSW in Macao were determined. The results showed that the ERI of the Macao's MSW remained at a medium level (Level III, 0.4–0.6) from 2000 to 2015, respectively, and increased gradually. Meanwhile, the future trend of the environmental risk of the MSW was predicted for Macao and the causes were analyzed. The environmental risk of the MSW in 2019 will achieve a high level (Level IV, 0.6–0.8), and the environment risk in 2041 will achieve an extremely high level (>0.8). For the first time, the research applied to the PSR model into the environmental risk assessment of MSW, this method is reasonable and feasible. Further research can provide a scientific basis for risk prevention management in city-states and can be of reference for other urbanized areas.     

江苏氮磷钾化肥使用地域分异及环境风险评价

深入认识江苏省氮磷钾化肥投入的空间格局及其环境风险,有利于调控江苏农田施肥合理分布、加强化肥使用风险管理和分区指导,防治农业面源污染.考虑氮磷钾3种化肥不同的环境污染效应,建立带有权重系数的化肥使用环境风险指数模型,对江苏省氮磷钾化肥使用强度的地域分异特征和环境风险进行研究.应用层次分析法,确定氮磷钾3因子的权重.根据国家生态县建设化肥使用强度小于250 kg·hm-2的标准,参照目前发达国家氮磷钾1∶0.5∶0.5的养分结构,确定氮磷钾3元素的环境安全阈值.结果表明:目前江苏氮磷钾化肥使用强度呈现出从南到北逐步增加的规律性地域分异,极值比为3.3.其中,氮肥、磷肥和钾肥的极值比分别是3.3、4.5、4.4.全省13个地市氮磷钾投入平均比例是1∶0.39∶0.26,不尽合理.苏南地区氮磷钾肥比例相对平衡,苏北地区养分结构失调严重.全省氮磷钾化肥施用环境风险指数为0.69,属于中度环境风险;苏南地区处于低度风险,苏中地区处于中度风险,苏北地区各地市处于中度、重度或严重风险.江苏省化肥施用的地域分异及环境风险受到自然、经济、体制、政策、管理等多种因素影响.     

基于多风险源胁迫的西南地区生态风险评价

西南地区生态环境复杂、人地矛盾突出,生态系统面临着多种风险胁迫,进行生态风险评价对区域生态风险的预警和防控具有重要的意义。基于西南地区的生态环境特征,将生态风险分为自然灾害风险与人类活动风险,从风险源危险性、生态系统潜在损失度、生态系统易损性3个方面构建单一风险评价模型,将单一风险评价结果进行综合分析得到西南地区综合生态风险结果。研究表明,西南高生态风险区面积为17.02万km2,占研究区总面积7.4%,主要分布在念青唐古拉山、邛崃山、哀牢山、无量山、金沙江、怒江、澜沧江、大渡河流域等地,以及成都、重庆、贵阳等人地作用强烈的大城市周边。这些地区环境复杂,灾害易发,应加强防控与监测,优化产业结构,继续推进生态保护工程,降低生态风险。     

区域生态风险评价的关键问题与展望

区域生态风险评价具有多风险因子、多风险受体、多评价终点、强调不确定性因素以及空间异质性的特点,它与传统的生态风险评价在风险源、胁迫因子和评价尺度上具有明显区别。尝试建立了一个基于陆地生态系统的区域生态风险评价框架,同时针对目前区域生态风险评价的研究现状,指出不确定性分析、尺度外推难、评价指标不统一、评价标准不统一、风险因子筛选及优先排序、区域内污染物复合、水生过渡到陆生生态系统风险评价、特殊的人为因素等是目前区域生态风险评价存在的关键问题及难点所在,并提出解决这些问题可能所需的工具、手段和理论方法突破。最后指出区域生态风险观测与数据采集加工、区域生态风险指标体系的统一与整合、区域生态风险评价方法论、区域生态风险的空间分布特征与表达以及区域生态风险评价反馈与管理机制5个方面是区域生态风险评价未来的研究重点。     

Finding fault with health risk assessment: A typology for risk assessment criticism

Although systematic, quantitative assessment of environmental health risks is a staple of regulatory decision-making, complaints regarding its perceived failures and shortcomings are an intrinsic feature of the policy landscape. In this article, we (a) catalog the classic criticisms of conventional health risk assessment, (b) create a typology that orders the critiques according to their focus on either input errors or output biases, and (c) identify selected allegations that fall within each category. We also note that the risk assessment–risk management paradigm has evolved over the past several decades, partially in accordance with the general direction and spirit of these classic critiques. The debate continues today along familiar lines invoking the traditional critiques and rebuttals outlined here.     

Use FMEA method for environmental risk assessment in ore complex on wildlife habitats

Human activities are the most effective cause of wildlife habitat destruction and loss of quality. Some of these activities are the construction, operation, and utilization of mines. The present study investigates factory activity in the GolGoharSirjanOre Complex (Kerman province) and environmental risk assessment of the activities done by this complex on wildlife habitat. In order to identify the significant aspects of the complex, the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method is used. To determine the risk priority number, the significant aspects resulted from the multiplication of the criteria including probability of occurrence, the probability of detection, and severity of the effect. Based on the results of the current study, most of the activities of GolGoharSirjan Complex can have a significant adverse impact on the habitat of birds such as bustard Chlamydotisundulata (Vulnerable [VU]) and Podocespleskei, and mammals such as Striped Hyaena (Hyaenahyaena) (Near Threatened [NT]) and Capra aegagrus (Wild Goat) (VU). Some of the most important activities related to the activity include: Crusher (Risk Priority Number [RPN] = 720), the concentration of iron ore (RPN = 640), mining (RPN = 486), Stalker and Reclaiming (RPN = 504), and the transport of heavy machinery (RPN = 432). Significant aspects such as the emission of dust into the air; Nitrogen Oxide (NOX), Sulphur Oxide (SOX), and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) gas emissions to air; vibration; noise; and industrial waste discharges significantly influence the environment. The results of measurements of environmental pollutants that are carried out by reliable environmental laboratories have shown that the amount of pollutants mentioned are above the standard limit determined by the Iranian Department of Environment.     

Marsh wetland degradation risk assessment and change analysis: A case study in the Zoige Plateau,China

Wetlands play an important role in regional development and environmental protection. Under the impact of natural and artificial factors, the plateau wetlands have degenerated and even disappeared, resulting in serious problems for society and the ecological environment. It is necessary to establish a reasonable risk assessment method to evaluate the risk of wetland degradation, and then to analyze changes in the range and features of risk. For this work, the Zogie Plateau wetland was selected as the study area. For this site, a wetland degradation risk assessment method was established based on the conceptual model of Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA). The method included nine indicators used to analyze the wetland hazard index, wetland vulnerability index, and wetland degradation risk synthetically. From the spatial-temporal pattern, the wetland degradation risk was analyzed using data from 2000 to 2014. The calculated results revealed the following: (1) from 2000 to 2014, the wetland hazard index (WHI) showed a trend of increase, the value of which increased from 0.29 to 0.42, with a growth rate of 44.83%. Similarly, the wetland vulnerability index (WVI) significantly increased from 0.30 to 0.54, with a growth rate of 80%. Over the same time, the total wetland area decreased from 3910.25 km² to 2777.38 km², a reduction of 28.97%. (2) Using the equidistant method, the risk value was divided into three risk grades. The wetland degradation risk in the whole region is increasing, and the risk rank has changed from the low risk zone (0.092) to the medium risk zone (0.25). The degradation risk becomes greater with distance from the center to fringe areas.     

Perspectives on environmental risk assessment

Risk is by no means a simple concept. Natural variability and definitional problems with the concept of probability complicate the measurement and use of risk as an analytical tool. Variability requires that risk assessment methods separate natural from total risk when attempting to estimate anthropogenic risk. Failure to do so results in the over estimation of anthropogenic risk and the eventual loss of credibility for risk assessment methodologies. The common frequentist approach to probability is not consistent with anything but a modelling approach to risk assessment. When combined with its ability to account for natural variability, incorporate laboratory-assay data and offer complete statistical and experimental control, modelling is a promising approach to risk assessment. Modelling, however, is not without its drawbacks. Initialization bias can result in the over, or under, estimation of both natural and anthropogenic risk. Furthermore, model estimates are time dependent. The convergence of natural and anthropogenic risk poses problems for modelling-based risk assessment and requires clear statements as to the importance of the time dimension in risk assessment. When combined, the drawbacks to modelling-based risk assessment argue that risk should never be stated as a scalar quantity. Instead, modelling-based risk assessment should provide estimates of the complete range of risk measures (total, natural, and anthropogenic) as well as indications of convergence time. Only then can the modelling-based approach be viewed as the most appropriate means of carrying out scientifically credible risk assessment.     

Spatiotemporal assessment of rainstorm hazard risk in Qinling mountains of China

Rainstorms are natural hazards, and they create hurdles in many parts of the world. They often cause damages to the life, properties, and human activities. The Qinling Mountains of China are among the few areas that are extremely hit by the rainstorms, but their hazard risks have not fully been assessed. This article takes an attempt to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive spatiotemporal risk assessment for the area. By using the geographic information system-enhanced Analytical Hierarchy Process assessment framework and the comprehensive index model, the rainstorm hazard risks can be evaluated from four different aspects. At last, the comprehensive rainstorm hazard risks have been assessed and zoned. Results indicate that with regional climate change, the frequencies of rainstorm have slightly increased over the past period of 46 years, and rainstorm hazard risks become higher on the whole. As a strong seasonal variation in the rainstorm days, the highest rainstorm hazard risks occur in July annually. The comprehensive rainstorm hazard risks in the southern regions of the Qinling Mountains are obviously higher than those in the northern regions. The Hanzhong and Ankang basins along the Hanjiang River are under the highest risk of rainstorms. The big cities of Xi'an and Baoji, piedmont plain and regions with good transportation, are under the lowest risk. The spatial distribution of rainstorm hazard risk shows that it has certain regulations along the rivers, ridges, and valleys, but it may be affected by the factors of rainfall and human activities. This article is significant for strategic environmental planning and hazard emergency management of the study area as well as in similar climatic regions of the world.     

Regional ecological risk assessment using a relative risk model: A case study of the Darwin Harbour,Darwin, Australia

There are many proposed and ongoing commercial, industrial, and residential developments within the Darwin Harbour catchment in Northern Australia, to accommodate the projected population growth over the next 20 years. Hence, it is necessary to ensure the balance between these developments and ecosystem conservation. We evaluated ecological risk for the Darwin Harbour using a relative risk model (RRM). The catchment was divided into 22 risk regions based on small catchment boundaries and their homogeneity. Through the RRM, we ranked and summed the stressors and habitats within regions. The interaction between stressors and habitats were modeled through exposure and effect filters. The ecological assessment endpoints were maintenance of the mangrove health and the maintenance of water quality. The risk regions—Myrmidon Creek, Blackmore River, Bleesers Creek, and Elizabeth River—showed the highest total relative risk for ecological assets. These risk regions had a high percentage cover of industrial, commercial, and residential areas; diffuse entry points; and climate change effects. Creek A, Sandy Creek, West Arm, and Pioneer Creek were the risk regions with lowest total relative risk scores. The RRM is a robust application that is suitable for a large geographic area where multiple stressors are of concern.