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Scenario‐Based Risk Assessment of Multi‐Use Chemicals: Application to Solvents
Author(s) -
Scheringer Martin,
Vögl Thomas,
Von Grote Julia,
Capaul Béatrice,
Schubert Renate,
Hungerbühler Konrad
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
risk analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1539-6924
pISSN - 0272-4332
DOI - 10.1111/0272-4332.213127
Subject(s) - quotient , risk assessment , solvent , set (abstract data type) , product (mathematics) , computer science , solvent exposure , mathematics , chemistry , organic chemistry , combinatorics , geometry , computer security , programming language
The risk through chemical exposure is commonly characterized by ratios of exposure concentrations and effect levels (risk quotients). For chemicals with many different applications such as solvents, however, in addition to the risk quotients of different exposure situations it is useful to determine the corresponding numbers of exposed individuals, that is, not only the magnitude but also the extent of the risk. To this end, the Scenario‐Based Risk Assessment (SceBRA) method has been developed that makes use of a large set of scenarios, each of which describes a typical situation regarding handling a solvent or solvent‐containing product. The scenarios cover the life‐cycle steps of production, distribution, and use of solvents. For each scenario, SceBRA provides the risk quotient, r , and the number of exposed individuals, N. This study investigated seven solvents that are used in large amounts in Switzerland. For each solvent, characteristic distributions of r and N values were calculated, making it possible to compare different solvents with respect to their risk profile. Graphical representations of the r , N data provide an informative way for analyzing and communicating the results of SceBRA.