Environmental risk assessment is a systematic process used to identify, analyse and evaluate the possible adverse effects of human activities, natural events, substances or environmental changes on people, ecosystems and natural resources. It helps in understanding the nature and magnitude of environmental risks before they cause serious damage. The assessment provides a scientific basis for decision-making, planning, disaster preparedness, environmental management and sustainable development. Environmental risk assessment generally involves four major stages: hazard identification, exposure assessment, risk characterization and risk management. Hazard identification determines what agent, activity or event can cause environmental harm. For example, industrial chemicals, air pollutants, contaminated water, hazardous waste, mining activities and natural disasters may act as hazards. Exposure assessment examines how humans, plants, animals, soil, water or other environmental components may come into contact with the hazard. Risk characterization combines information about the hazard and exposure to estimate the probability and severity of adverse consequences. Finally, risk management