Setting Environmental Standards The Statistical Approach to Handling Uncertainty and Variation

Introducing a novel approach to setting environmental pollution standards that allow for proper treatment of uncertainty and variation, this book surveys the forms of standards and proposes a new kind of "statistically verifiable ideal standard."Setting Environmental Standards includes:a current analysis regarding the treatment of uncertainty and variation in environmental standard settinga review of basic principles in standard setting, including costs, actions and effects, and benefitsexamples where uncertainty and variation have been well-treated in current practice as well as examples where clear deficiencies are apparentspecific proposals for the future approach to setting environmental pollution standards - encompassing the anticipated elements of uncertainty and variabilityThe issues discussed serve statisticians as well as those persons involved with environmental standards. Scientists in agencies responsible for setting standards, in organizations advising such agencies or working in industries subject to these standards, will find Setting Environmental Standards an invaluable reference.

IntroductionSetting Standards: Uncertainty and VariationTerminologyOverview of Environmental Standard SettingSources of Uncertainty and VariationRepresentation of UncertaintySome Examples of Statistics at WorkProbability and Statistics in Standard-SettingBasic Considerations in Setting StandardsOutline of This ChapterPositioning a StandardIdeal and Realizable StandardsAcknowledging VariationStatistically Verifiable Ideal StandardsMultiple StandardsAnalyzing Costs and BenefitsCurrent Approaches to Setting a LevelConcluding RemarksThe Pollutant-Effect Relationship and Other LinksLinks in the ChainDescribing and Measuring the Pollutant-Effect RelationshipRecent Major ReviewsSelective Overview of Recently Published on Pollutant-Effect RelationshipsSome Current Less Formal Emphases for Analysing or Categorizing the Pollutant-Effect RelationshipSummaryCurrent and Developing Incorporation of Uncertainty and Variability in Standard-SettingIntroductionStatistical Pollution Studies Linked to Standards InterestsThe Changing Scene: Attempts to Incorporate Statistical Arguments in the Setting of StandardsProgressionCurrent Standards: ExamplesThe Extent to Which Uncertainty and Variation Are ConsideredExamples Where Quite Sophisticated Treatment of Uncertainty and Variation Is EmployedExamples Which Pay No Regard for Uncertainty and VariationSummaryConclusions: The Current Situation and a Forward LookBroad Principles for Setting Sound StandardsThe Present SituationA Look ForwardOverview

Barnett, V; O'Hagan, A.