Comparative Risk Project

Phase 1 involved the identification of those substances that posed a risk to human health, the environment and New Yorker's quality of life, including dozens of potentially harmful substances ranging from metals and pesticides in soil and water to particulates and ozone in air. The risks associated with these substances ranged from cancer and chronic asthma to aesthetic concerns such as cloudy water in the state's lakes and rivers. The three work groups in the Phase 1 effort rated the identified substances by potential harm or risk.

Under Phase 2 a Risk Reduction Strategies Work Group was created to develop a variety of specific P2 strategies aimed at those substances identified in the three Phase 1 reports. It was determined that it was important to rank specific P2 strategies according to their potential benefit so that action plans could be aimed at priority areas and strategies. It became clear that numerous P2 strategies could address more than one substance. In fact, some strategies address a dozen substances or more.

More than 60 specific P2 strategies were developed and the recommendations of the Phase 2 Work Group are targeted initially at six categories of potential releases that are covered by the top 21 strategies, including backyard burning emissions; energy production emissions; mobile source (transportation/vehicle) emissions; pesticides; ozone; and mercury.

For more information visit: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ppu/p2crp.html.