What term describes the measure of the probability and severity of adverse effects under specific conditions?

The term that describes the measure of the probability and severity of adverse effects under specific conditions is "Risk." In environmental health and safety contexts, risk assessment is a critical process that evaluates not only the likelihood that an adverse event will occur but also the magnitude of potential consequences if that event does happen.

Risk takes into account various factors, such as the nature of the hazard, how a person might be exposed to that hazard, and the conditions under which exposure occurs. For instance, a chemical might pose a significant hazard, but if exposure is unlikely or the amount is minimal, the overall risk may be low. Conversely, a substance that is less hazardous can still present a high risk if it is encountered frequently or under more serious exposure conditions.

Understanding risk is vital in making informed decisions about safety regulations, public health policies, and emergency preparedness strategies, as it integrates both the likelihood of harm and the potential severity of that harm.

Other terms such as hazard, exposure, and toxicity are related concepts. A hazard refers to a potential source of harm, exposure signifies how and to what degree an individual might come into contact with a hazard, while toxicity describes the inherent ability of a substance to cause negative effects. However, none of these terms encompass the