Hazard identification advantages

The first step in risk assessment is to gather health-related information associated with an exposure. Ideally, hazard identification starts before there is significant use of the agent. The structure of the compound is compared with that of compounds with known toxicity profiles. Cell-based studies are often performed to screen for toxicity. Finally, animal bioassays and human studies are performed to characterize and develop a toxicity profile. Multiple health-related endpoints are evaluated to determine if the compound is associated with adverse effects. Advantages of animal studies include experimental control and accurate knowledge of the dose. 

The purpose of hazard identification is to evaluate the weight of evidence for adverse effects in humans based on assessment of all available data, ranging from observations in humans and animal data to an analysis of mechanisms of action and structure-activity relationships. Each source of information has its advantages and limitations, which determine the weight of that evidence collectively, the evidence permits a scientific judgement as to whether the chemical can cause adverse effects. 

Risk assessment is usually divided into four steps hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment, and, finally, risk characterization [1]. In hazard identification, agents capable of exerting negative health effects are identified. Often, the first indications of toxic potential of a compound or mixture are derived from epidemiological studies. The advantage of epidemiological studies is that extrapolation from experimental animal studies is unnecessary. On the other hand, indications from epidemiological studies show that unwanted exposure has already taken place. For marine biotoxins in bivalve mollusks, all known syndromes have been detected as a result of... 

Percutaneous absorption studies utilizing rhesus monkeys have one Important single advantage. That is, their skin type and absorption characteristics seem to be similar to humans. This is of utmost concern since the purpose of this study is to simulate the human case. This is not a toxicology study, and it should not be the purpose of this study to estimate a worst case scenario as in a hazard identification study. Thus, in spite of the many shortcomings of the described procedures, monkey percutaneous absorption studies could play an important role in pesticide risk assessments. 

As a hazard identification tool, the PRA has some distinct advantages, which may include ... 

Another well-known technique of hazard identification is the HAZOP (HAZard and OPerability) method. With this method, hazards are identified and analyzed using sessions with operational experts. At the same time, the experts come up with potential solutions and measures to cope with the identified hazards (Kletz, 1999). The advantage of HAZOP with respect to the functional approach is that also nonfunctional hazards are identified during the brainstorm with operational experts. However, in applying HAZOP, one needs to take care that hazard analysis and solution activities do not disturb the hazard identification process, which could leave certain hazards unidentified or inappropriately solved . Leaving such latent hazards in a design typically is known to be very costly in safety critical operation. 

Enterprising generalists in safety will become proficient with respect to the hazard identification and control aspects and the design aspects of the Scope and Function of a Safety Professional. That will be to their advantage as they give counsel to chents for the protection of people, property and the environment. ... 

The advantage to this approach is that it provides a more complete identification of the hazards, including information on how hazards can develop as a result of operating procedures and operational upsets in the process. Companies that perform detailed HAZOPs studies find that their processes operate better and have less down time, that their product quality is improved, that less waste is produced, and that their employees are more confident in the safety of the process. The disadvantages are that the HAZOP approach is tedious to apply, requires considerable staff time, and can potentially identify hazards independent of the risk. 

Sulphur mustard remains one of the CW agents of most concern because of its ease of synthesis, advantageous physical properties and the dual hazard that it presents from skin contact and lung and eye damage from exposure to vapour. More biomarkers have been identified for sulphur mustard than for any other CW agent, in part due to its relatively indiscriminate reactions with nucleophiles. Research into retrospective identification of poisoning was stimulated by the extensive use of sulphur mustard in the Iraq-Iran conflict and against the Kurdish population in Iraq. 

Quantitative data are essential components of virtually all environmental investigations, but the range of chemical compounds involved and the different matrices in which xenobiotics may be encountered makes generalizations on analytical procedures extremely hazardous. Whereas it is relatively straightforward to take advantage of modern instrumentation and methodology, and to apply widely accepted procedures for detection, identification, and quantification, there are several fundamental difficulties to which specific attention should be directed and possible solutions sought ... 

The advantages of IC-MS such as sensitivity and selectivity are noticeable in the analysis of drinking water (e.g., for the determination of perchlorate, the analysis of haloacetic acids or of disinfection by-products). Other fields of >pli-cation are clinical and biochemical research (determination of organic acids, amines, or sugars),pharmaceutical industry (peak identification and purity tests), petrochemical industry (determination of indicator substances), food industry, electroplating industry, analysis of hazardous substances, and environmental analysis. " ... 

Encourage employees to take advantage of opportunities to become involved in problem identification, problem solving, and reporting hazards. Then, when they do become involved, make sure they get appropriate and timely feedback, including recognition for efforts. 

The method also revealed the advantage of working in a group which promoted a higher synergy of the individuals, and increased the creativity to the identification of possible hazard scenarios and the proposal of control measures to its mitigation. 

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