risk assessment is a set of decision rules widely used in the united states for identifying and quantifying the risks of chemicals and other events for adverse effects to human health , usually cancer . 
 scientific criticism has been directed toward the default assumptions and test methods used in risk assessment by regulatory agencies . 
 this paper evaluates the contribution of risk assessment as an instrument of public policy toward the timely and efficient resolution of controversial issues in environmental and occupational health . 
 experience with risk assessment during the past decade does not support its utility in this regard . 
 alternatives to risk assessment in its current formulation are discussed.imagesp100-a