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Regulating chemicals--from risks to riskiness.

Anne Chapman1

  • 1Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy, Lancaster University, UK. anne.chapman@cleanmail.org.uk

Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis
|July 13, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Current chemical risk assessment is uncertain. A new approach, focusing on "riskiness" (possibility of harm), considers chemical capacity, novelty, persistence, and mobility. This can improve chemical regulation and safety.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Toxicology
  • Chemical Regulation

Background:

  • European Union legislation requires evidence of harm for chemical restrictions.
  • Current risk assessment defines risk by harm magnitude and probability, leading to uncertainty and disputes.
  • Existing methods often fail to provide conclusive evidence on chemical risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose an alternative framework for assessing chemical risks.
  • To shift focus from probabilistic risk assessment to a more intuitive concept of "riskiness".
  • To identify key factors contributing to a chemical's riskiness.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of current chemical risk assessment practices.
  • Definition and exploration of the concept of chemical "riskiness".

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  • Identification of four key attributes influencing chemical riskiness: harm capacity, novelty, persistence, and mobility.

    • Main Results:

    • Current risk assessment is fraught with uncertainty, hindering regulatory action.
    • A proposed 'riskiness' assessment considers the possibility of harm based on current knowledge.
    • Four factors (capacity, novelty, persistence, mobility) are identified as crucial for evaluating chemical riskiness.

    Conclusions:

    • Regulation should prioritize reducing the use of 'risky' chemicals.
    • The least risky substance or method should be mandated for specific applications.
    • Use of risky chemicals must be justified by public benefits.