Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is a scientific process of evaluating the adverse effects caused by a substance, activity, lifestyle, or natural phenomenon. OEHHA is responsible for developing and providing risk managers in state and local government agencies with toxicological and medical information relevant to decisions involving public health. State agency users of such information include all boards and departments within Cal/EPA, as well as the Department of Public Health, the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Office of Emergency Services, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Justice.

Several laws and regulations govern OEHHA's risk assessment work.

Reports, Notices, Documents

The final report presents the available information on neurobehavioral effects of synthetic food dyes from studies in children and from studies in experimental animals.  

 A state report released today finds that consumption of synthetic food dyes can result in hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children, and that children vary in their sensitivity to synthetic food dyes.

: Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

The effects of HAB-related toxins on humans and animals.

At the request of the California Legislature, OEHHA conducted a health effects assessment of the potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on children, particularly for neurobehavioral and other neurologic effects.

Blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria) are non-pathogenic photosynthetic bacteria that grow in outdoor water bodies and produce toxins such as microcystins, cylindrospermopsin and anatoxin-a. This fact sheet is meant to help veterinarians with diagnosis and treatment options.