Impact assessment evaluation methods

For example, the five impact assessment evaluation methods reviewed in the 1997 comparison (Morrow 1997) were as follows ... 

Table VII. Relative Environmental Impact Values for Batteiy Metals Utilizing Various Assessment Evaluation Methods...

Gould, J. H. (1998). Evaluation of the likelihood of major accidents in industrial processes. In P. Calow (ed.). Handbook of Environmental Risk Assessment and Management, Vol. 1. Environmental Impact Assessment Process, Methods and Potential. London Blackwell Science. 

Chapter 5 describes simplified methods of estimating airborne pollutant concentration distributions associated with stationary emission sources. There are sophisticated models available to predict and to assist in evaluating the impact of pollutants on the environment and to sensitive receptors such as populated areas. In this chapter we will explore the basic principles behind dispersion models and then apply a simplified model that has been developed by EPA to analyzing air dispersion problems. There are practice and study problems at the end of this chapter. A screening model for air dispersion impact assessments called SCREEN, developed by USEPA is highlighted in this chapter, and the reader is provided with details on how to download the software and apply it. 

This thesis focuses on the applicability of in vitro, in vivo bioassays and bioindicators as tools for evaluating the effects of complex chemical mixtures in the process of deciding whether dredged harbour sediments can be disposed of at sea without serious adverse effects on marine ecosystem and human health. It considers the North Sea delta area in order to determine a comprehensive approach for the application of both in vitro and in vivo bioassays for hazard assessment, advanced risk assessment, and location-specific ecological impact assessment for dredged harbour sediments. To aid in the selection of appropriate, robust and reliable in vitro and in vivo bioassay and bioindication methods for these specific purposes, the uneertainty, predictability and specificity of the bioassays have been explored and the applieability in eombination with other analyses is discussed. The focus of the chosen examples is on bioassays and bioindicators for the relatively well studied dioxin-like contaminants and TBT. 

Once impacts have been predicted, their relative significance needs to be assessed to evaluate whether the impacts may be considered acceptable. Evaluation methods can be of various types, which can be grouped into two main sets of methods those that assume a common utilitarian ethic with a single evaluation criterion and those that are based on the measurement of personal utilities, including multiple criteria. 

Brent, A.C., Hietkamp, S., 2003. Comparative evaluation of bfe cycle impact assessment methods with a South African case study. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 8, 27-38. 

Hertwich, E.G., Pease, W.S., McKone, T.E., 1998. Evaluating toxic impact assessment methods what works best Environmental Science and Technology 32, A138—A144. 

O. Jolliet, Critical Surface-Time, an Evaluation Method for Life Cycle Impact Assessment Including Fate in proceedings of 4th SETAC-Europe Congress, Brussels (1994). 

Several other approaches for impact assessment exist which do not or only in parts comply with the ISO approach of impact categories. These may be favorable as to be more convenient for the practitioner, for example, in terms of less data necessary or ready-made schemes for weighting and aggregation, but there are also assessment methods based on different philosophies for the evaluation of environmental effects. A typology of methodologies can be found in Hofstetter et al. [9]. 

Rouse R, Min M, Francke S, Mog S, Zhang J, Shea K, Stewart S and Colatsky T (2014) Impact of pathologists and evaluation methods on performance assessment of the kidney injury biomarker, kim-1. Toxicol Pathol. 43(5) 662-74. 

There is a clear need to broaden our evaluation methods so that we are better able to assess the impact of simulations, microworlds, intelligent tutoring systems, and other types of "complex" computer-based learning environments. In addition, there is a striking need to assess the impact of computers on coUege/university level audiences and particularly to document the impact of computer-assisted instruction on higher order cognitive processes at every school level. 

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has turned out to be a good basis for product and process evaluation in order to account for all environmental impacts incurred by the provision of the good in question. Although strict standards for LCA are laid down in ISO standards of the 14.00X family (/), it must be noted that these standards only provide a procedural guide to evaluation and do not prescribe a fixed evaluation method. 

In most countries legislation requires that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be carried out before the necessary construction permits can be obtained. Such an EIA must be based on thorough, well-documented research and provides an evaluation of the positive and negative environmental consequences of the works. If the predicted impacts are considered to be unacceptable, the study may recommend mitigating measures ranging from prescribed dredging methods to compensation requirements. 

The results of map generation cannot be expressed effectively with the format available here. However, the State of Oregon utilized the map and matrix techniques in their nonpoint source evaluation and as a basis for designing more intensive survey approaches to assessing the impact of human activity on river quality. In addition to reflecting deposition of sediments, the methods can be applied to transport of pesticides, nutrients and trace elements since many of these substances tend to adsorb to the organic and inorganic fractions of soil. 

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