Characterization

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-004678",
  "term": "Characterization",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Characterization is the second step of an impact assessment and characterizes the magnitude of the potential impacts of each inventory flow to its corresponding environmental impact.\n\n2. Determination of the attributes of resource units, populations, or sampling units. A prominent use in EMAP is characterization of 40-hexes.\n\n3. The EPA/ILSI framework uses the term \"characterization\" in several places. The analysis phase consists of characterization of exposure and host characterization. The final phase is called risk characterization. Codex uses the term hazard characterization to refer to what the EPA/ILSI framework calls characterization of human health effects, which is also called dose-response in other frameworks (e.g., NRC 1983). Therefore the term characterization is commonly used in conjunction with other words as qualifiers. The term is used in its generic sense as well in specific context referring to a particular step in risk assessment. Confusion can be minimized if users are aware of the framework that is being used.\n\n4. Assessment of the extent, location, and magnitude of contamination. Characterization systematically expands on the initial assessment findings to identify other contaminated locations and determine the contamination footprint at the affected locations, in order to better define the boundaries. The sampling information, specifics of the incident, and the data collected during the initial assessment might take on many forms and might come from several different groups involved in the initial response and assessment activities. The data will be evaluated and reviewed, and used to assist in formulating the objectives, strategy, and approach for the characterization phase. The information that results from the characterization affects and shapes the planning and implementation of the remediation phase.",
  "subject": "Science and research",
  "references": [
    "Lifecycle Assessment Principles and Practices Glossary",
    "Environmental Modeling and Assessment Program (EMAP) Master Glossary",
    "Thesaurus of Terms Used in Microbial Risk Assessment",
    "Remediation Guidance for Major Airports after a Bioterrorist Attack; EPA/600/R-17/356; EPA/600/R-18/164"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/characterization/"
}