What acceptable risk range for carcinogens is established by the EPA?

The acceptable risk range for carcinogens established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is typically defined as between 10^-4 and 10^-6. This means that for a population exposed to a carcinogenic risk, the risk of developing cancer from that exposure is considered acceptable if it falls within this range.

The rationale behind this range is rooted in balancing public health protection with practical considerations in risk management. A risk of 10^-4 denotes that one individual in 10,000 might develop cancer due to exposure, while a risk of 10^-6 indicates one individual in 1,000,000. The EPA considers risks below 10^-6 to be relatively low and generally acceptable, though the agency aims to minimize exposure to carcinogens whenever possible.

Other ranges mentioned in the options fall outside the EPA's defined acceptable risk levels for carcinogens. For instance, a range of 10^-1 to 10^-2 represents a much higher risk level that is typically considered unacceptable for public health. Similarly, the ranges below 10^-6, such as 10^-7 to 10^-8, do not align with the established guidelines for risk assessment pertaining to carcinogens. Thus, the range of 10^-4 to