A hazard quotient is the ratio of the potential
exposure to a substance and the level at which no adverse effects are expected. If the Hazard Quotient is calculated to be less than 1, then no adverse health effects are expected as a result of exposure. If the Hazard Quotient is greater than 1, then adverse health effects are possible. The Hazard Quotient cannot be translated to a
probability
Probability is the branch of mathematics concerning numerical descriptions of how likely an Event (probability theory), event is to occur, or how likely it is that a proposition is true. The probability of an event is a number between 0 and ...
that adverse health effects will occur, and is unlikely to be proportional to
risk
In simple terms, risk is the possibility of something bad happening. Risk involves uncertainty about the effects/implications of an activity with respect to something that humans value (such as health, well-being, wealth, property or the environme ...
. It is especially important to note that a Hazard Quotient exceeding 1 does not necessarily mean that adverse effects will occur.
References
''This article is based on material from the public domain U.S. Federal Government document "NATA Glossary of Terms"''
Pollution
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