Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the chemicals environmental contamination

Abstract

Socio-economic impact analysis is one of the key components of the complex management process in which risks from environmental contamination by chemicals are identifying and assessing. Paradigm of risk assessment covers four main phases: hazard identification; examination of the relationship between chemical concentration in environment and its adverse effects; exposure assessment and finally, risk characterization. The socio-economic analysis represents the analytical base, funded on the wide body of the scientific and professional knowledge, for initiating the risk management and mitigating adverse processes in environmental contamination situations. The aim of this analysis is to develop strategy and to propose measures to overcome potential risks of environmental contamination. In the article, the specific emphasis is put on the role of the socio economic analysis in the risk management of environmental contamination by hazardous chemicals. The process of socio-economic analysis of hazardous chemicals includes identification of anthropogenic activities in which these chemicals are present, and based on that, the assessment of the environmental changes (pollution) caused by these activities and their adverse impacts on human health, on the environment and on economic development of impacted communities. Number of specific methods and indicators for measuring those effects are developed: they are mainly focused on their quantification and sometimes also on monetization, i.e. expressing them in financial terms.