| 1. |
- Bos, Peter MJ, et al.
(författare)
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Human risk assessment of single exposure in chemical incidents : present situation and new and increasing chemical incident scenarios
- 2011
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The release of chemicals from their containment, either accidentally or deliberately, is one of the most relevant risk scenarios in Europe. A human health risk assessment is a prerequisite for chemical incident prevention, preparedness and response. European guidance and harmonized Acute Exposure Reference Values (AERVs) are urgently needed for effective human health risk assessment in the context of chemical incidents.At present, no broad European consensus is available on guidance for risk assessment, risk management and risk communication purposes in case of chemical incidents. A review of legislation, existing or currently under revision, suggests that harmonized European guidance is not expected to be developed in the short term. An increasing number of European countries are developing their own procedures to assess the human health risk of chemical incident scenarios. The AERVs thus produced serve different purposes and are not interchangeable. Lack of international harmonization seriously obstructs a consistent response in chemical emergencies with transboundary effects within and beyond the EU, will hamper multinational companies attempting to make consistent risk assessments worldwide and will hinder consistent and transparent assessment, and management and communication of risks by different stakeholders.Emerging chemical incident risk scenarios and risk drivers have been identified. It is recommended to monitor more frequently at an early stage for new trends in chemicals, scenarios and risks from chemical incidents. A need for a specific approach to deal with single exposure to mixtures of chemicals is identified, as well as for specific guidance to adequately protect professional first responders.
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| 2. |
- Heinälä, M, et al.
(författare)
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Survey on European methodologies in the risk assessment of chemical exposures in emergency response situations
- 2013
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Survey on European methodologies in the risk assessment of chemical exposures in emergency response situations. Prevention or mitigation of human health effects is often the major determinant underlying chemical incident prevention policy and emergency response decisions. The ability to perform a human health risk assessment is a prerequisite for effective chemical incident prevention, preparedness and response. To identify knowledge gaps, needs and concerns relating to health risks from chemical incidents, a web-based survey was sent to various groups of stakeholders. The release of acutely toxic substances and irritating/corrosive substances appeared to be the most important risk scenario. Almost 40% of the respondents also expected a future increase of chemical terrorism or sabotage. Developments in nanotechnology were perceived as potential future risk drivers although more information is needed on the health hazards of nanoparticles. A high number of respondents also expressed concern for the consequences of globalization, international trade and higher industry efficiency demands on health risks through chemical incidents. Acute Exposure Reference Values (AERVs) were considered important cornerstones but a need was expressed for recommendations on their use for the management of chemical emergencies. Based on this survey, it is advised to develop European consensus on an authoritative methodology to derive AERVs, to design a process for their implementation and to provide guidance and training on their practical application. Attention should be paid to the widely used acutely toxic and irritating/corrosive substances, to specific endpoints such as carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity and new and emerging chemicals. Research should focus on developing plausible scenarios for emerging human health risks from chemical incidents to allow better prioritisation of future risk assessments.
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