1. Current EPA practice is to undertake quantitative risk assessments for a wide variety of toxic substances. And these risk assessments provide the scientific basis for regulations issued pursuant to various environmental statutes (e.g. CAA, CERCLA, etc). Yet Shere (1995) states that there is only weak statutory basis for the current agency practice of undertaking quantitative risk assessments, although this is strongly supported by case law.

1a. In this context, explain what "weak statutory basis and strong case law" means. (short paragraph answer)

1b. Do you agree with Shere's assertion that the case law provides a strong basis for EPA practice of undertaking quantitative risk assessments for a wide variety of toxic substances? Explain. (one or two paragraph answer)

1c. As mentioned above, risk assessment provide scientific support for regulations issued pursant to specific environmental statutes such as the CAA and CERCLA. Yet according to Shere (1995) and many other authors, there is only a weak statutory basis for quantitative risk assessments. On their face, the preceding two sentences would appear to contradict one another. Explain why, in fact, they do not. (one paragraph answer)