[Chemical safety (II)--Methodologic and practical problems]

Main components of the problem of chemical safety, their role and aims as well as their mutual relations are presented. Need to create a register of chemical compounds and necessity to set up an information centre which would help functioning the whole system are justified. Risk assessment is believed to be the main aspect of cognitive activities aimed at determining the probability of occurrence of harmful consequences of exposure. Risk assessment is a set of complex legal, organizational and administrative undertakings supposed to reduce the hazards resulting from exposure to chemicals. Necessity to calculate costs and benefits coming from the undertaking and need to analyse social perception of risk which is important for preventive action are justified. What is stressed is the significance of a widespread education aimed at forming attitudes towards chemical hazards.