1st Edition

Setting Environmental Standards The Statistical Approach to Handling Uncertainty and Variation

By V Barnett, A. O'Hagan Copyright 1997
    124 Pages
    by Chapman & Hall

    Introducing a novel approach to setting environmental pollution standards that 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."
    Setting Environmental Standards includes:

  • a current analysis regarding the treatment of uncertainty and variation in environmental standard setting
  • a review of basic principles in standard setting, including costs, actions and effects, and benefits
  • examples where uncertainty and variation have been well-treated in current practice as well as examples where clear deficiencies are apparent
  • specific proposals for the future approach to setting environmental pollution standards - encompassing the anticipated elements of uncertainty and variability
    The issues discussed serve statisticians as well as those persons involved with environmental standards. Scientists in agencies responsible for setting standards, in organizations advising such agencies or working in industries subject to these standards, will find Setting Environmental Standards an invaluable reference.
  • Introduction
    Setting Standards: Uncertainty and Variation
    Terminology
    Overview of Environmental Standard Setting
    Sources of Uncertainty and Variation
    Representation of Uncertainty
    Some Examples of Statistics at Work
    Probability and Statistics in Standard-Setting
    Basic Considerations in Setting Standards
    Outline of This Chapter
    Positioning a Standard
    Ideal and Realizable Standards
    Acknowledging Variation
    Statistically Verifiable Ideal Standards
    Multiple Standards
    Analyzing Costs and Benefits
    Current Approaches to Setting a Level
    Concluding Remarks
    The Pollutant-Effect Relationship and Other Links
    Links in the Chain
    Describing and Measuring the Pollutant-Effect Relationship
    Recent Major Reviews
    Selective Overview of Recently Published on Pollutant-Effect Relationships
    Some Current Less Formal Emphases for Analysing or Categorizing the Pollutant-Effect Relationship
    Summary
    Current and Developing Incorporation of Uncertainty and Variability in Standard-Setting
    Introduction
    Statistical Pollution Studies Linked to Standards Interests
    The Changing Scene: Attempts to Incorporate Statistical Arguments in the Setting of Standards
    Progression
    Current Standards: Examples
    The Extent to Which Uncertainty and Variation Are Considered
    Examples Where Quite Sophisticated Treatment of Uncertainty and Variation Is Employed
    Examples Which Pay No Regard for Uncertainty and Variation
    Summary
    Conclusions: The Current Situation and a Forward Look
    Broad Principles for Setting Sound Standards
    The Present Situation
    A Look Forward
    Overview

    Biography

    Barnett, V; O'Hagan, A.

    "This book is a report prepared for and at the request of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The objective is to provide a critical review of the importance of, and the current status of treatment of, uncertainty and variation in environmental standard-setting…The book has six chapters and reflects the constructive and positive outcomes of the workshop."
    --T. Postelnicu, Zentralblatt Matt, Vol. 942
    "For environmental statisticians, the book will provide reinforcement of many of their own thoughts and initiatives, and, for other statisticians, it will provide an introduction to the topic in general…"
    --S. R. Esterby, Short Book Reviews, for ISI