Hazardous substances Terms Links

The link between hazard and ris must be tmderstood. In terms of the COSHH Regulations, poor control can create substantial risk even from a substance with low hazard. But with proper controls, the risk of being harmed by even the most hazardous substance is greatly reduced. 

The conditions under which the drug is used need to be estimated as do acceptable residues linked to the level of acceptable risk to the consumer. The acceptable level of risk, which is determined in theory at the risk management stage, has already been expressed in terms of residues by the ADI under hazard characterization. Moreover, the elements considered for hazard identification, hazard characterization, and exposure assessment make it possible, for a given form of utilization of a particular substance, to establish a profile of residues in animal tissues and to associate this with a profile of consumer exposure. Comparison of this consumer profile and ADI indicates whether the mode of utilization of the substance is acceptable or not. Analysis of the different results of residue content in animal products then provides an indication of level of residues in one or several animal tissues, making it possible to differentiate between veterinary drug applications that do or do not permit compliance with the ADI. 

To reduce the inflow of toxic substances into basin waters efficiently, the Corporation required information on which effluents posed the greatest hazard to the river. While chemical data on many of the effluents were available, their diverse composition was difficult to interpret in terms of hazard potential. Moreover, hazard is not only linked to chemical composition of an effluent, but also on the toxic effects it can have on a variety of freshwater organisms. Adverse effects on biota are also influenced by the volume of wastewater discharged at different times of the year. Hence, the Corporation searched for a cost-effective approach, based on ecotoxicological principles, to rank the various effluents (there are several hundred sources), in terms of their toxic loading, so that subsequent efforts (such as clean up actions) could be prioritized. 

Although chemical and biological agents are usually linked together as potential hazards, there are substantial differences between the effects of chemical substances and bacteria or viruses and the casualties caused. Chemical warfare is the deliberate equivalent of the accidental release of chemical substances. In the civil context this is termed hazardous materials release (HAZMAT) (Anon, 1995 Borak et al, 1991 Bronstein and Currance, 1994 Moles, 1999 Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development, 1994) (Table 1 and Figure 1). 

Hazardous chemical exposures can occur from aerosols, gases, and skin contaminants. Exposures can occur on an acute basis or result from chronic long-term exposures. Some substances, commonly used in the healthcare setting, can cause asthma or trigger attacks. Studies indicate scientific evidence linking cleaners and disinfectants, sterilants, latex, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and pharmaceuticals to asthma. Many medications and compounds used in personal care products have known toxic effects. Although many medications pose hazards to workers. 

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