Grantee Research Project Results

Contingent Valuation for Ecological and Noncancer Effects within an Integrated Human Health and Ecological Risk Framework

EPA Grant Number: R830821
Title: Contingent Valuation for Ecological and Noncancer Effects within an Integrated Human Health and Ecological Risk Framework
Investigators: Hammitt, James K. , Stackelberg, Katherine von
Institution: Harvard University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2006
Project Amount: $266,632
RFA: Decision-Making and Valuation for Environmental Policy (DMVEP) (2002) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Environmental Justice

Objective:

The objective of the proposed research is to contribute to the understanding of practical and credible approaches for estimating the benefits and costs of environmental policies and to improve decision making regarding environmental issues by developing an integrated human health and ecological risk model using a case study approach. The case study focuses on potential human health and ecological receptor exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds via fish ingestion. The risk model will integrate the results of two contingent valuation surveys to quantify the benefit of potential risk reductions under assumed exposure conditions using a publicly available database.

Approach:

The specific components of the research include:

· developing and administering a web-based contingent valuation questionnaire to estimate willingness-to-pay of the general public to reduce the risk of reproductive effects on otter and eagles associated with exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs);

· developing and administering a web-based contingent valuation questionnaire to estimate willingness-to-pay of the general public to reduce the potential risk of developmental noncancer human health effects associated with exposure to PCBs; and

· developing a population-level dose-response model for the potential developmental effects of PCBs in order to quantitatively evaluate the valuation data obtained under the previous task.

Expected Results:

The proposed research will provide estimates of willingness to pay for developmental and ecological effects associated with exposure to PCBs, a common contaminant. These estimates will provide a quantitative metric of benefits resulting from potential risk reductions associated with actions that reduce exposure. Together with the population noncancer dose response model, this research demonstrates the applicability of benefits estimation for noncancer and ecological effects within an integrated human health and ecological risk model that has broader implications for the numerous PCB-contaminated sites across the country.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

risk assessment, contingent valuation, ecological effects, noncancer effects, modeling., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, Economic, Social, & Behavioral Science Research Program, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, HUMAN HEALTH, Health Risk Assessment, Exposure, Risk Assessments, Economics, Monitoring/Modeling, Physical Processes, Ecological Risk Assessment, decision-making, Economics & Decision Making, Social Science, contingent valuation, chemical exposure, multi-objective decision making, policy analysis, surveys, biomarkers, decision analysis, decision making, dose-response, pesticides, risk assessment model, population based dose response model, market valuation models, non-market valuation, standards of value, human exposue, human exposure, PCB, ecological risk, environmental stress, dietary exposure, public policy, willingness to pay, conjoint analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis, fish-borne toxicants, human health risk

Progress and Final Reports:

2004 Progress Report

2005

Final