Risk Assessment

Quantitative microbial risk assessment is an approach that allows for the quantitative expression of risk in terms of infection, illness or mortality from microbial pathogens. In this chapter we discussed the concept of risk assessment as the process of estimating the probability that an event will occur. Also discussed is the process of risk assessment in terms of: hazard identification; exposure assessment; dose-response assessment; and risk characterization. Risk characterization allows for the estimation of the potential impact of a particular microorganism, and this is discussed from the perspective of "uncertainty analysis" and risk projection and management. Following this is a focus on microbial risk assessment utilizing case studies and examples of specific risk calculations and models.