CHEMISTRY
AND HUMAN HEALTH DIVISION
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY SECTION
COMMISSION ON TOXICOLOGY
Risk assessment for occupational exposure to chemicals. A review
of current methodology (IUPAC Technical Report)
Robert F. M. Herber1, John
H. Duffus*2, Jytte Molin Christensen3, Erik
Olsen3, and Milton V. Park2
1Coronel Institute for Occupational and Environmental
Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22700,
NL1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands; 2The Edinburgh Centre for Toxicology,
43 Mansionhouse Road, Edinburgh EH9 2JD, United Kingdom; 3National Institute
of Occupational Health, Lerso Parkalle 105, DK-2 100, Copenhagen, Denmark
Abstract: This paper reviews the methodology available for risk
assessment of exposure to substances in the workplace. Assessment starts
with the identification and classification of hazard, which must be
related to the doseeffect and doseresponse information available
for the hazards identified. Once the potential for exposure has been
characterized, it should be quantified and compared with an established
safe exposure level. The degree to which it exceeds that level is a
measure of the risk. Even if the assessed risk is regarded as acceptable,
there is the possibility that the situation will change with time, so
it is important to monitor potentially harmful exposures. Factors relevant
to effective monitoring are reviewed. Addresses of Internet sites where
further information may be obtained are listed along with further reading.
> Download full text of the report [pdf
file - 327 KB]
> View corresponding
project
*Corresponding author
[Back to Contents]