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Precautionary defaults - A new strategy for chemical risk management

Sandin, P ; Bengtsson, B E ; Bergman, Å ; Brandt, I ; Dencker, L ; Eriksson, P ; Förlin, L ; Larsson, Per LU ; Oskarsson, A and Ruden, C , et al. (2004) In Human and Ecological Risk Assessment 10(1). p.1-18
Abstract
In order to give adequate support to risk managers, new risk assessment methods should be developed that are (1) scientifically sound, (2) simplified, and (3) suited for precautionary risk management. In this Perspective we propose that the notion of a precautionary default can be a useful tool in the development of such methods. A precautionary default is a cautious or pessimistic assumption that is used in the absence of adequate information and that should be replaced when such information is obtained. Furthermore, we point out some promising research areas for the development of such indicators, viz. connections between chemical characteristics such as persistence and effect parameters, monitoring of contaminants in polar regions,... (More)
In order to give adequate support to risk managers, new risk assessment methods should be developed that are (1) scientifically sound, (2) simplified, and (3) suited for precautionary risk management. In this Perspective we propose that the notion of a precautionary default can be a useful tool in the development of such methods. A precautionary default is a cautious or pessimistic assumption that is used in the absence of adequate information and that should be replaced when such information is obtained. Furthermore, we point out some promising research areas for the development of such indicators, viz. connections between chemical characteristics such as persistence and effect parameters, monitoring of contaminants in polar regions, monitoring of contaminants in breast milk, application of results from (human) toxicology in ecotoxicology and vice versa, (eco) toxicological test systems that are sensitive to effects on reproduction, and the application of bioinformatic methods to complex data, both in genomic research and in ecotoxicology. We conclude that precautionary decision-making does not require less science, but to the contrary it requires more science and improved communication between scientists and risk managers. (Less)
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment
volume
10
issue
1
pages
1 - 18
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • wos:000220374200001
  • scopus:1642370560
ISSN
1080-7039
DOI
10.1080/10807030490280909
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Chemical Ecology/Ecotoxicology (Closed 2011) (011006020)
id
15befcb6-ba21-4809-8cfc-edcdaa531246 (old id 149744)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 16:08:18
date last changed
2022-03-30 11:17:36
@article{15befcb6-ba21-4809-8cfc-edcdaa531246,
  abstract     = {{In order to give adequate support to risk managers, new risk assessment methods should be developed that are (1) scientifically sound, (2) simplified, and (3) suited for precautionary risk management. In this Perspective we propose that the notion of a precautionary default can be a useful tool in the development of such methods. A precautionary default is a cautious or pessimistic assumption that is used in the absence of adequate information and that should be replaced when such information is obtained. Furthermore, we point out some promising research areas for the development of such indicators, viz. connections between chemical characteristics such as persistence and effect parameters, monitoring of contaminants in polar regions, monitoring of contaminants in breast milk, application of results from (human) toxicology in ecotoxicology and vice versa, (eco) toxicological test systems that are sensitive to effects on reproduction, and the application of bioinformatic methods to complex data, both in genomic research and in ecotoxicology. We conclude that precautionary decision-making does not require less science, but to the contrary it requires more science and improved communication between scientists and risk managers.}},
  author       = {{Sandin, P and Bengtsson, B E and Bergman, Å and Brandt, I and Dencker, L and Eriksson, P and Förlin, L and Larsson, Per and Oskarsson, A and Ruden, C and Södergren, Anders and Woin, Per and Hansson, S O}},
  issn         = {{1080-7039}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{1--18}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Human and Ecological Risk Assessment}},
  title        = {{Precautionary defaults - A new strategy for chemical risk management}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10807030490280909}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/10807030490280909}},
  volume       = {{10}},
  year         = {{2004}},
}