Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 10.1 Trigger points for chemical risk assessment from example countries, amounts
have been converted to metric tonnes for ease of comparison.
Australia European
Community
Canada
United
States of
America
Japan
New
Zealand
Initial
trigger for
(limited)
regulation
1 tonne/
year
1 tonne/
year
1 tonne/
year
10 tonnes/
year
1 tonne/
year
Act of
manufac-
ture or
importing
Futher
triggers
for
informa-
tion
-
10 tonnes/
year
10
tonnes/
year
11 tonnes/
year (4
year IUR)
10
tonnes/
year
-
-
100 tonnes/
year
100
tonnes/
year
136 tonnes/
year (4
year IUR)
-
-
-
1000
tonnes/
year
-
-
-
-
IUR = Inventory Update Rule.
chemicals (e.g. hormones, natural antioxidants) are also generally excluded from
risk assessment frameworks and are considered separately by regulators.
International risk assessment frameworks for chemicals consider both the
physico-chemical characteristics of the chemical as well as the toxicological and
environmental effects. Although the requirements differ slightly between countries,
all expect hazard identifi cation and assessment to take account of:
• physico - chemical properties - detailing melting/boiling point, relative density,
vapour pressure, water solubility, fl ammability, partition coeffi cient ( n - octanol/
water), state (e.g. solid, liquid);
• toxicological information - evaluation of skin irritation/corrosion, eye irritation,
skin sensitisation, mutagenicity (bacterial and mammalian cell studies), acute
toxicity (route dependant on physical state of chemical), short term repeated
dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, toxicokinetics;
• ecotoxicological information - short term toxicity testing ( Daphnia and fi sh),
growth inhibition study on algae, long term toxicity testing ( Daphnia and fi sh),
effects on terrestrial organisms and micro-organisms; and
• fate and behaviour - degradation (biodegradability), bioavailability (fi sh), hydro-
lysis (as function of pH) and adsorption/desorption screening.
Other relevant physico-chemical, toxicological and ecotoxicological information
may also be requested. In general, the technical guidance and experimental methods
followed are those typically validated and/or adopted by the OECD, although
other tests are available and may be used.
The international chemicals risk assessment process consists of a number of broadly
similar steps that follow the initial weight trigger (1 tonne/year; Figure 10.2).
 
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