Impact assessments identification

In this chapter the risk assessment is briefly introduced. Risk assessment is divided into four steps hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. This chapter also highlights five risk and life cycle impact assessment models (EUSES, USEtox, GLOBOX, SADA, and MAFRAM) that allows for assessment of risks to human health and the environment. In addition other 12 models were appointed. Finally, in the last section of this chapter, there is a compilation of useful data sources for risk assessment. The data source selection is essential to obtain high quality data. This source selection is divided into two parts. First, six frequently used databases for physicochemical... 

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has evolved as a comprehensive approach to project evaluation, in which environmental factors, as well as economic and technical considerations (e.g. Cost Benefit Analysis), are given appropriate consideration in the decisionmaking process. The purpose of an EIA study is to determine the potential environmental, social and health effects of a proposed development. It attempts to define and assess the physical, biological and socio-economic effects, so that logical and rational decisions are made. The identification of possible alternative sites and/or processes may assist in the reduction of potential adverse impacts. 

In 1991, the National Academy of Sciences studied the health effects attributable to toxic waste sites and concluded, [W]e find that the health of some members of the public is in danger, but We are currently unable to answer the question of the overall impact on public health of hazardous wastes. The Academy pointed out that Millions of tons of hazardous materials are slowly migrating into groundwater in areas where they could pose problems in the future, even though current risks could be negligible. The Academy concluded, ...the committee does find sufficient evidence that hazardous wastes have produced health effects in some populations. We are concerned that populations may be at risk that have not been adequately identified, because of the inadequate program of site identification and assessment. ... 

The major change is in Section 4.3.1 - Environmental Aspects under ISO 14001 and Planning for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control under OHSAS 18001. OHSAS is much more detailed and prescriptive in how hazards are identified, and how risks are identified, assessed and controlled compared to how aspects and impacts are managed under ISO 14001. The environmental benefits derived from implementation of ISO14001 would similarly be expected to be realized by including occupational health and safety into the applicability of an environmental management system. For the record, many organizations have chosen to add occupational health and safety into the scope of their ISO 14001 EMS. 

Proper conduct of the total residue depletion study is important not only because the results define the depletion of total drug-related residue from the edible tissues of treated animals, but also because this data will be utilized to identify the target tissue (the edible tissue selected to monitor total residue - usually the last tissue in which residues deplete to the safe concentration) and marker residue (residue, i.e. drug and/or metabolite(s), selected to monitor the concentration of the total residue in the target tissue). These results will be utilized to establish the relationship between depletion of total residue and the marker residue in the target tissue. Identification of major metabolites in the urine and feces is important because these products must undergo environmental impact assessment. Tissue and excreta profiles will also be used... 

Identification and assessment "of the applicability of the technology and its efficacy, maturity, reliability, and impact on patient outcomes based on, where possible, clinical evidence. 

Design candidates identification using total site analysis technology Environmental impact assessment using LCA principles ... 

Identification and Assessment of Performance Critical Assets—Processes are provided for assets that are identified for achieving specific performance objectives have been identified and assessed with respect to critical performance and condition parameters, degradation mechanisms, and failure risks and impacts. 

Due to this, it is necessary to assess the risk to human health and the environment due to the exposure to these chemical additives. In this chapter the impacts that a substance can cause to a certain receptor (humans and the environment) and the harms to the receptor at different exposure levels are identified in hazard identification and hazard characterization steps, respectively. Exposure assessment takes into account the amount, frequency, and duration of the exposure to the substance. Finally, risk characterization evaluates the increased risk caused by such exposure to the exposed population. 

NOMIRACLE (2004-2009, http //viso.jrc.it/nomiracle/) provided support to the development and improvement of a coherent series of methodologies underpinned by mechanistic understanding, while integrating the risk analysis approaches of environmental and human health. The project delivered understanding of and tools for sound risk assessment, developing a research framework for the description and interpretation of combined stressor effects that leads to the identification of biomarkers and other indicators of cumulative impacts. 

Risk assessment starts with risk identification, a systematic use of available information to identify hazards (i.e., events or other conditions that have the potential to cause harm). Information can be from a variety of sources including stakeholders, historical data, information from the literature, and mathematical or scientific analyses. Risk analysis is then conducted to estimate the degree of risk associated with the identified hazards. This is estimated based on the likelihood of occurrence and resultant severity of harm. In some risk management tools, the ability to detect the hazard may also be considered. If the hazard is readily detectable, this may be considered a factor in the overall risk assessment. Risk evaluation determines if the risk is acceptable based on specified criteria. In a quality system environment, criteria would include impact on the overall performance of the quality system and the quality attributes of the finished product. The value of the risk assessment depends on how robust the data used in the assessment process is judged to be. The risk assessment process should take into account assumptions and reasonable sources of uncertainty. Risk assessment activities should be documented. 

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