IP04 Valuation of Ecological Resources
B115 & B116
1:20 PM - 4:40 PM, Monday
(IP032) Contingent Valuation for Ecological Effects of Exposure to PCBs.
von Stackelberg, K1, 2, Hammitt, J1, 1 Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, Boston, MA, 021152 Menzie-Cura & Associates, Inc., Winchester, MA, 01890
ABSTRACT- The objective of this research is to contribute to the understanding of practical and credible approaches for estimating the benefits and costs of environmental policies and to improve decisionmaking regarding environmental issues by developing an integrated human health and ecological risk model using a case study approach. The case study focuses on potential human health and ecological receptor exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds via fish ingestion. The risk model integrates the results of two contingent valuation surveys to quantify the benefit of potential risk reductions under a set of exposure scenarios. The integrated model uses the results of a web-based contingent valuation questionnaire to estimate willingness-to-pay of the general public to reduce the potential for reproductive effects in birds and mammals. We present the results of the contingent valuation survey and estimate willingness-to-pay based on the probability of effects to one species as well as using a species sensitivity distribution.
Key words: ecological risk assessment, contingent valuation, PCBs, bioaccumulation