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Risk Analysis Terminology

Hazard: an agent that can cause adverse effects (e.g. an organism that is a necessary cause of an animal disease). A hazard is an element or event that poses potential harm; an adverse event or adverse outcome. A hazard is identified by describing what might go wrong and how that might happen (Ahl and others 1993). Covello and Merkhofer (1993) defined hazard as a (potential) source of risk that does not necessarily produce risk. A hazard produces risk only if an exposure pathway exists and if exposures create that possibility of adverse consequences. Hazard identification is the process of identifying new agents in sources of risk. Risk sources may release risk agents to the air, soil, surface water, or groundwater. The risk agents released may be either chemical, physical, biological, or forms of energy.