Policy / Systems / Technology

February 29, 2004

 

Free Software Assesses Chemical Risks in Everyday Life

Keywords: Chemicals Government Policy / Systems University / Research institute 

The Research Center for Chemical Risk Management (CRM) is a research center that is part of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), a Japanese independent administrative institution. The CRM has developed software that estimates health risks from chemicals that humans can be exposed to in the course of everyday activities. One of its main features is that it is easy to use, even for non-specialists in risk evaluation.

The software is called "Risk Learning," and estimates the amount of chemical exposure and the associated risks based on the combination of contamination media and exposure routes. The user can select from various categories, including a list of 76 chemicals (out of 354 Class I substances specified in the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Law), 11 contamination media such as indoor and outdoor air or surface water, concentration levels, 33 conceivable exposure routes through daily activities and the type of person exposed, either an average Japanese male or female.

For example, the software can estimate the risk of an average Japanese man inhaling evaporated chloroform while taking a shower in the bathroom using tap water that originated as surface water.

The software, in Japanese only, is available for free from the CRM website at http://www.aist-riss.jp/projects/RL/



Posted: 2004/02/29 10:20:37 PM
Japanese version

 

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