Air Force approach to risk assessment for halon replacements.
Finding safe, environmentally acceptable, and effective replacements for Halon fire-extinguishing agents and other chemicals banned by the Montreal Protocol is a formidable task for Air Force research and development organizations. One factor that makes this task a challenge is the uncertainty in relating toxicology studies in laboratory animals to the human situation. This uncertainty from toxicology studies affects the risk assessment process by calling for very conservative decisions. Because of this uncertainty, public pressure and politics also impact the regulatory process. The Air Force approach to assessing health hazards for Halon replacements is to provide scientific information that directly applies to the parts of the extrapolation process that are responsible for the most uncertainty. Most regulatory agencies readily incorporate scientific information, when it is available, which can reduce uncertainty. These Air Force studies will be used to provide realistic exposure levels for replacement chemicals which will allow mission accomplishment and provide safety for the worker and the populace.
Toxicology Division, Occupational and Environmental Health Directorate, Armstrong Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-6573.
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D000818:Animals; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D008891:Military Science / Q000592:standards*; D008954:Models, Biological; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods
D005411:Flame Retardants; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated