Methodology for National Risk Analysis and Prioritization of Toxic Industrial Chemicals

Abstract

The identification of chemicals that pose the greatest threat to human health from incidental releases is a cornerstone in public health preparedness for chemical threats. The present study developed and applied a methodology for the risk analysis and prioritization of industrial chemicals to identify the most significant chemicals that pose a threat to public health in Finland. The prioritization criteria included acute and chronic health hazards, physicochemical and environmental hazards, national production and use quantities, the physicochemical properties of the substances, and the history of substance-related incidents. The presented methodology enabled a systematic review and prioritization of industrial chemicals for the purpose of national public health preparedness for chemical incidents.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Erkki Teräsmaa and Anu Matilainen from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency for their valuable contribution. The Scientific Advisory Board for Defence and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland, are acknowledged for funding the study. Kerstin Engström has retired.

Notes

¹The Seveso Directive (96/82/EC; 2012/18/EU) is aimed at the prevention and control of major chemical accidents in the EU. The directive applies to around 10,000 industrial sites at which large quantities of dangerous substances are used or stored.