Setting Environmental Standards The Statistical Approach to Handling Uncertainty and Variation

About this book

Introducing a novel approach to setting environmental pollution standards which 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'. This volume is the outcome of a detailed study sought from the authors by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

Contents

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

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