Risk assessment services
Evaluating and managing risks
Risk assessments range from simple calculations to complex analyses based on data from multiyear studies. We evaluate a customer’s risk assessment needs, then provide clear and strategic advice on how to evaluate and manage those needs. We understand how to use risk assessment in a variety of settings and focus resources on the critical aspects of your risk assessment.
Human health risk assessment
AMEC´s staff has conducted over 500 human health risk assessments throughout the world. These assessments evaluated the potential risks associated with all the major classes of chemicals, and range in complexity from initial screening to multi-chemical, multi-pathway risk assessments. We also bring new techniques to human health risk assessment, such as the use of geostatistical methods to estimate exposure concentrations, derivation of site-specific bioavailability factors, and development of microexposure event modeling.
Ecological risk assessments
AMEC risk assessors routinely conduct ecological assessments to provide a realistic and complete picture of risk posed by a facility, site, or operation. We perform ecological risk assessments on behalf of potentially responsible parties and their legal counsel. AMEC’s in-house ecotoxicology laboratories provide aquatic, benthic, and terrestrial testing services to support our ecological projects. AMEC’s ecological risk assessment group is backed by an extensive staff of biologists, wetland scientists, and other natural resource specialists.
Toxicological studies
AMEC scientists have made substantial contributions to toxicological research through our analysis and interpretation of toxicological data, particularly with respect to dioxins, PCBs, DDT, and chromium. In many cases, our work has compelled researchers and regulators to reevaluate their analyses, conduct additional studies, or allow practical permit limits.
Monte Carlo analysis and microexposure event modeling
Monte Carlo analysis uses the same exposure equations as regulatory agencies, but examine the ranges of possible exposures to evaluate the distribution of potential risks. Micro-exposure event modeling further refines the Monte Carlo analysis by profiling the lifestyles of individuals, factoring in changes in exposure throughout a lifetime - thus developing more realistic population estimates of potential exposure. Our scientists have also expanded the model to consider pharmacokinetic and dose information. Since AMEC staff pioneered these approaches, we know when to use them to your advantage.
Litigation support
In the event of a lawsuit, a successful defense requires sound advice and the power of a credible witness. With our staff of senior risk assessment scientists, AMEC provides you with both. AMEC’s senior employees have authored several hundred publications in scientific journals, conferences, and books. Because we understand the science, methodologies, and regulations, our risk assessors have successfully defended their assessments on behalf of our customers in numerous administrative and judicial settings.
Negotiations and communications
Our risk assessments are technically sound and strategically focused, so we are able to successfully defend them. We are credible, reliable sources during negotiations with regulatory organizations or with public communications.
Risk assessment support
Risk assessments require expertise from a variety of technical disciplines as well as support from many AMEC resources. We provide data management and validation, application development, GIS, chemistry, biological, ecological, and permitting services. AMEC accesses our in-house aquatic and chemistry labs to support our risk assessment studies and other project efforts.
AMEC also maintains several proprietary and public computer codes for performing fate and transport modeling of chemicals and radionuclides in air, groundwater, and surface water. We also have strict internal procedures to ensure consistent quality throughout our organization, as well as from our vendors and subcontractors.