For a chemical already in use in Australia, a quantitative risk assessment measures the risk posed by the chemical, while for a new chemical, a qualitative assessment describes the risk. Hazard characterisation evaluates the dose-response relationship for each of the adverse effects caused by the substance. This is the relationship between the dose of a substance and the incidence or probability of a specific adverse effect.
Exposure assessment is an evaluation of exposure to a chemical in the environment.
The exposure may be orally, by inhalation or through the skin, or any combination of these. Risk characterisation interprets and integrates the information from the previous steps to provide a practical estimate of risk and to identify any limitations and uncertainties of this estimate. These strategies are decided after consideration of all available options.