RISK ASSESSMENT, POLICY AND RISK COMMUNICATION
Case Studies
INDEX
- Before you start – test yourself
- Individual susceptibility – exploring the molecular mechanisms in more depth
- Food safety – understanding the microbiological threats to health
- Broaden your knowledge – dealing with chemical hazards
- Risk management – how to monitor and manage exposure to complex mixtures?
- Environmental risk assessment – Therminaphos
Before you start – test yourself
First, a number of concepts should be made clear, namely the concepts of hazard and risk. Sometimes the person at risk can do something about his/her risk through his/ her own behavior, sometimes he/ she is dependent on others. Apart from being dependent or not, perceptions about risk play a role in how communication about a hazard/risk actually proceeds. Risk management is a continuous process that identifies and assesses risks.
This case introduces a number of central concepts that are relevant for the rest of the course. The emphasis in this first case is on risk identification.
Individual susceptibility – exploring the molecular mechanisms in more depth
In this case you will study how variations in metabolism and interactions with external factors can influence the toxic effects of certain exposures.
Food safety – understanding the microbiological threats to health
In this case study you will deepen your knowledge of microbiological risk assessment and risk management of foodborne illness. You will gain insights into the contents of a food safety plan, and into national and international regulations by the WHO and the EU. It will help you understand disease outbreaks of other sources such as viruses, fungi and prions.
Broaden your knowledge – dealing with chemical hazards
In this task, the concept of risk identification or assessment is explicitly discussed. It is important that you think about why it is important to find out whether or not something poses a threat to people’s health. You learn from the literature that specific steps can be distinguished in this process. You also read that research can take place with different designs (e.g. animal studies) and how that data is used to estimate risks for humans. You will look at the various routes of exposure and think of ways to avoid exposure.
Risk management – how to monitor and manage exposure to complex mixtures?
In this case you will study the health risks of exposure to traffic-related air pollution, risk assessment and management. It will introduce the principles of risk governance, and look at the air quality policy, standards and methods of monitoring air quality.
Environmental risk assessment – Terminaphos
