Risk assessment international initiatives

Cardona OD, Ordaz MG, Reinoso E, Yamm LE, Barbar AH (2012) CAPRA - comprehensive approach to probabilistic risk assessment international initiative for risk management effectiveness, hr Proceedings of the 15th world conference of earthquake engineering, Lisbon, 24—28 Sept 2012 Cavalieri E et al (2013) Application and validation study to an electric power network in Italy, hr Pitilakis K, Argyroudis S (eds) Systemic seismic vulnerability and loss assessment validation studies SYNER-G. Reference report 6, Publications Office of the European Union, doi 10.2788/16706... 

The methodology for assessment of external events is qualitatively satisfactory but not quantitatively. Little confidence should be placed in any estimates of the risk from external initiators compared to those from internal initiators. This is exacerbated by the fact that the external risk is the larger of the two in many cases. 

Data on the safety studies were submitted to international agencies like the Joint Expert Committee for Food Additives of the WHO and FAO (JECFA), and the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) of the EC. Both committees endorsed acesulfame K as a food additive. Initial acceptance was based on an NOEL of 900mg/kg in dogs which were considered to be the most sensitive species. Therefore Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) values of 0-9 mg/kg of body weight were allocated.8 9 Evidence that rats would be an appropriate model for risk assessment was the reason for JECFA to change the ADI to 0-15 mg/kg of body weight on the basis of a no-effect level of 1500-3000 mg/kg in rats.10 Countries allocating their own ADI values like the USA and Canada have come to the same conclusion. The SCF still retains its 0-9 mg/kg ADI.11... 

The health effects associated with radon, as well as sources and mitigation measures, are discussed in detail in several National Research Council reports (1988, 1991), in the book edited by Nazaroff and Nero (1988), and in the International Commission on Radiological Protection Report (1994). Initial risk assessments were based on data from underground miners who were exposed to relatively high levels of radon and its progeny. However, there has been considerable controversy over the extrapolation to lower levels in homes [e.g., see summaries by Nazaroff and Teichman (1990) and Peto and Darby (1994)]. 

We are working with the Food Quality Control Department of the Ministry of Health to study the contamination of OCPs and PCBs in local fish and chickens. This project is in line with our current effort to assess the health risk arising from consumption of food contaminated with POP chemicals. The health risk assessment of POPs through dietary intakes project involved analyses of OCPs and PCBs in various foodstuff, initially raw materials which will be extended to cooked food. Unfortunately, we do not currently have the capability to analyze PCDD/PCDF in our laboratory but there are two high resolution mass spectrometers in the country that are capable of analyzing PCDD/PCDF. National and international collaborations will definitely improve the country capacity to monitor POPs not only those listed in the Stockholm Convention but other toxic chemicals found in the environment. 

A collaborative study on the Human and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) of cleaning products between Cefic and the International Soap, Detergent and Maintenance Products Association (AISE) resulted in the risk assessment of several substances through the relevant supply chains. The project enabled downstream users to develop a better understanding of the final use and environmental endpoints of these products. A major result of the initiative has been the creation of a website where customers and consumers can be informed on the risks associated with specific substances. 

J. Solbe, Project HERA (Human and Environmental Risk Assessment) An Industry Initiative Anticipating the New EU Chemicals Policy, Greener Management International, 2003, 41, 21. 

Identification and prioritization of research needs at the international level would result in more focused and strategic research initiatives by both the pesticide manufacturers and the larger research community. For example, the USEPA National Exposure Research Laboratory has identified general areas of research needs in children s exposure assessments for environmental exposures (Cohen Hubal et al 2000). There is a requirement to develop harmonized priorities for research that would strengthen risk assessment methodologies for pesticides. This would need to be followed by an effective communication strategy so that funding bodies and the research community were informed about such priorities. 

Health problems experienced in Taiwan have been the subject of much research since their initial discovery in the early 1960s and have formed the basis of many epidemiological risk assessments over the last 30 years. Taiwan is the classic area for the identification of black-foot disease (e.g. Chen et al., 1985 Tseng et al., 1968) and other peripheral vascular disorders but cardiovascular disease, neurological problems, diabetes and internal cancers have also been described from the area. A clear dose-response relationship has been found for many of the disorders, including blackfoot disease and bladder cancer (e.g. Chen et al., 1985). 

Individual countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America, have adopted particular national strategies to augment the regional and international initiatives into the evaluation of the risk assessment of chemicals. As an example of a national approach, the United Kingdom in December 1999 published a... 

Existing chemical substances, especially those supplied in high volume, may be subject to review in one of the national or international evaluation programs, such as the OECD Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) scheme [7]. Existing data are reported initially, but new studies may be required subsequently to fill data gaps, especially if necessary for adequate assessment of the substance. The hazard and risk assessment could lead to risk management. 

SESSION II Risk Theory and Risk Analysis for Landslides. [1] Landslide Risk Management concepts and framework and examples (2.5 h) [2] Deterministic and Probabilistic models for slope stability evaluation (2 h) [3] Introduction to modelling of catastrophic landslide events (2 h) [4] Empirical models for travel distance (1.5 h) [5] Application examples of probabilistic methods and semi quantitative methods for landslide hazard zonation (2h) [6] Landslide Frequency Assessment (1.5 h) [7] Different components of vulnerability to landslides. Prevention and long term management of landslides (3.5 h) [8] Case Studies coal waste dump risk assessment, example from motorway in La Reunion Island, Aknes Rock slope in Norway (2 h) [9] Application of QRA to other geotechnical problems Internal erosion of dams, crater lake hazard (1.5 h) [10] Advanced numerical models initiation of landslides, propagation of sediments/climate change effects (3.5 h). 

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