title: Survey on methodologies in the risk assessment of chemical exposures in emergency response situations in Europe.
abstract: A scientifically sound assessment of the risk to human health resulting from acute chemical releases is the cornerstone for chemical incident prevention, preparedness and response. Although the general methodology to identify acute toxicity of chemicals has not substantially changed in the last decades, there is ongoing debate on the current approaches for human health risk assessment in scenarios involving acute chemical releases. A survey was conducted to identify: (1) the most important present and potential future chemical incident scenarios and anticipated changes in chemical incidents or their management; (2) information, tools and guidance used in different countries to assess health risks from acute chemical releases; and (3) needs for new information, tools, guidance and expertise to enable the valid and rapid health risk assessment of acute chemical exposures. According to the results, there is an obvious variability in risk assessment practices within Europe. The multiplicity of acute exposure reference values appears to result in variable practices. There is a need for training especially on the practical application of acute exposure reference values. Although acutely toxic and irritating/corrosive chemicals will remain serious risks also in future the development of plausible scenarios for potential emerging risks is also needed. This includes risks from new mixtures and chemicals (e.g. nanoparticles).
authors.affiliation: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Topeliuksenkatu 41aA, 00250 Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Milla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heinälä
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gundert-Remy
authors.forename: Maureen Heraty
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruijten
authors.forename: Peter M J
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zitting
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bull
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Gudrun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cassel
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leffler
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tissot
authors.forename: Jean-Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Santonen
mesh_terms: D055884:Chemical Hazard Release; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D005060:Europe; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances