A systematic review of the risk management frameworks for potentially toxic chemical elements

In the last 50 years, various frameworks have been used to control and manage potentially toxic chemical risks; however, these chemicals continue to negatively impact environmental and human health. This work was intended to provide a systematic review of the literature on essential aspects of current risk management frameworks for potentially toxic chemicals. The frameworks were reviewed using Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) principles that focus on elements, successes, shortcomings, similarities, and dissimilarities premised on the experiences of many countries. Keywords such as heavy metals, health risk, industrial chemicals, potentially toxic elements, chemical pollutants, and risk management framework were utilised to search the literature from databases and other sources. Ten risk framework documents selected from an initial yield of 1349 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow processes met the inclusion criteria. The key elements of risk frameworks that were identified included the risk assessment paradigm, iteration, tiered approach, weight of evidence, uncertainty analysis, and multi-criteria decision analysis among others. Notable gaps in risk frameworks that required improvements to effectively manage health risks posed by potentially toxic chemicals were identified. While existing risk frameworks have made significant contributions to human health and environmental protection, new and comprehensive frameworks are needed to address the novel and dynamic risks posed by toxic industrial chemicals. Also, there is a need to promote the use of risk management frameworks in developing countries through technology transfer and the provision of financial assistance to improve environmental and public health protection from toxic chemicals.