Journal Facts

Journal
Journal of Environmental Systems
ISSN
0047-2433 (print) 1541-3802 (electronic)
Volume
9
Issue
4
Date
1/1/1979

Article Facts

Title
A Decision Model for the Regulation of Hazardous Wastes
DOI
10.2190/1MW4-26D9-2PHL-0W1F
Author
Jonathan F. Bard
Pages
335-348
Online Date
05/09/2002

Article Links

A Decision Model for the Regulation of Hazardous Wastes

Jonathan F. Bard

DOI: 10.2190/1MW4-26D9-2PHL-0W1F

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic procedure that can be used by regulatory agencies to establish guidelines and standards for the disposal of hazardous industrial wastes. A general economic-decision model has been developed to provide an operational framework for weighing the risks, benefits, and costs associated with the underlying process. To begin, the concepts of utility (benefit) and probability (risk) are made explicit, and then, whenever possible, converted into common units. In performing this conversion, it was necessary to draw upon the criteria that society has evolved for accepting risks. The problematic and uncertain nature of the data has been dealt with through a secondary reliability analysis.

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