Vulnerable groups risk assessment

The concept that infants and children may be a sensitive subgroup relates to their relative immaturity compared to adults. Children, as well as the unborn child, have in some cases appeared to be uniquely vulnerable to toxic effects of chemicals because periods of rapid growth and development render them more susceptible to some specific toxic effects when compared to adults. In addition to such toxicodynamic factors, differences in toxicokinetics may contribute to an increased susceptibility during these periods. It should be noted, however, that during the developmental and maturational periods the susceptibility to exposure to xenobiotics in children may be higher, equal, or even lower than in adults. Except for a few specific substances, not very much is known about whether and why the response to a substance may differ between age groups. It should also be borne in mind that, in terms of risk assessment, children are not simply small adults, but rather a unique population (Nielsen et al. 2001). 

Other emerging areas include risk assessment of vulnerable population groups, toxicogenomics, and the integration of human and ecological risk assessment. 

The risk assessment must include any additional controls required due to the vulnerability of any of these groups, perhaps caused by inexperience or disability. It must also give an indication of the numbers of people from the different groups who come into contact with the hazard and the frequency of these contacts. 

To work closely with the Focus Group, in evaluating the indicators, such that they are relevant to the megacity scale of analysis, represent the conditions and reality of socioeconomic vulnerability in the city, and reflect the outcomes of the various studies xmder-taken as part of the DRMMP (e.g., earthquake risk assessment, transportation study, housing and shelter, land use planning, construction codes and standards, water supply and water treatment analysis, etc.)... 

Because dietary practices among vegetarians are so variable, individual assessment of their dietary intakes is recommended. Those at special risk are those in the nutritionally vulnerable groups due to age, life stage (pregnancy, lactation) or illness, especially if they eschew many animal food groups... 

Its capability to assess the health risk of specific human groups vulnerable to toxicants, i.e. for woman, infant. 

Flood risk management deals with the analysis and governance of the flood hazards, the flood vulnerability (the resilience of a particular group of risk receptors) and the resulting flood risk. It considers all natural and societal processes related with the flood issues of a coastal cell. Based on such a risk analysis, the tolerability of risk has to be assessed and risk reduction options to be defined. Decision-making, implementation, and control of actions are also parts of flood risk management. 

---