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Environmental Risk Assessment Homepage What is an environmental risk assessment? An environmental risk assessment is a document that outlines the health risks associated with exposure to environmental contaminants at a site and provides the justification for taking action to remediate or remove the contamination. The risk assessment establishes levels of contaminants that can remain at a site and still be adequately protective of public health. The risk assessment provides a consistent process for evaluating and documenting public health hazards associated with exposure to environmental contamination. What is a risk assessor and what do they do? A risk assessor is an individual with education and training typically in environmental assessment, toxicology, biology and/or ecology. A risk assessor organizes and analyzes data collected from environmental samples of water, soil, and air, develops exposure and risk calculations, and provides an analysis of potential health risks to help determine the need for action at a site. A risk assessor also determines levels of contaminants that can remain in environmental media such as water, soil, or air, and still be adequately protective of public health, as it is oftentimes not feasible to completely remove these contaminants. Contact Susan Dempsey, MS Risk Assessment/Toxicology NE Department of Health & Human Services 301 Centennial Mall South Lincoln, Nebraska 68509 Phone & Fax 402-471-8880 Email: sue.dempsey@dhhs.ne.gov