What type of analysis is commonly used to estimate health risks from drinking water contaminants?

Risk assessment is the most appropriate analysis for estimating health risks from drinking water contaminants. This process involves identifying potential hazards, assessing exposure levels, evaluating the dose-response relationship, and characterizing the overall risk to human health. It provides a systematic approach for determining the likelihood and severity of adverse health effects that could arise from specific contaminants in drinking water.

Through risk assessment, water treatment professionals can prioritize contaminants based on their potential health impact, allowing them to implement appropriate monitoring and treatment strategies to safeguard public health. This detailed and methodical approach is essential in regulatory compliance and ensuring safe drinking water standards.

The other options, while related to environmental and public health considerations, do not focus specifically on the estimation of health risks from contaminants in drinking water. Cost-benefit analysis is more concerned with evaluating the economic implications of decisions, environmental impact assessment looks at broader ecological effects, and health impact analysis often focuses on overall societal health effects rather than specifically addressing risks posed by individual contaminants.