The goal of health-based risk assessment is to provide a framework for developing the information necessary to assist decision making at remedial sites.

Risk-based decision making is a mechanism for identifying necessary and appropriate action through a corrective action process, Depending on known or anticipated risks to human health and the environment, appropriate action may include site closure, monitoring and data collection, active or passive remediation, or institutional control. In all cases, the objective is the same, ensuring that adequate care of human health and the environment is provided.

Risk-based decision making is a process that site investigators and regulatory agencies can use to:

• Focus site assessment data gathering.
• Categorize and classify sites.
• Determine what, if any, further action is necessary to remediate a site.
• Help establish cleanup or closure criteria.
• Decide on the level of cleanup required by landowners and regulators.