Preliminary Risk Analysis Research Articles

SENSIBILIDADE DOS ORGANISMOS MARINHOS UTILIZADOS EM TESTES DE TOXICIDADE NO BRASIL

Foram compilados e tratados 60 dados de testes de toxicidade utilizando organismosmarinhos sob efeito de 4 substâncias de referência; Cobre, Cromo, Zinco e DSS disponíveis na bibliografia e de dados arquivados no Laboratório de Ecotoxicologia do CTTMar/UNIVALI. A ordenação dos valores de CL50/CE50 mostraram que os microcustáceos copépodas e mysidáceos são os organismos mais sensíveis a todos os tóxicos testados. Os ouriços e moluscos também apresentaram uma alta sensibilidade, mas são mutuamente exclusivos, demonstrando com isto, especificidade quanto ao tipo de contaminate. Mediante uma análise de risco preliminar, utilizando o rank de sensibilidade das espécies e os limites aceitáveis presentes na resolução do CONAMA N° 20 de 1986, estas substâncias mostraram uma probabilidade de efeito de até 60 % sobre a biota aquática marinha.

Risk mitigation strategy for the ITER electron cyclotron upper port launcher

A basic requirement for ITER equipment to meet is a high level of reliability, because ITER operation time is precious and radioactive operation leaves limited scope for repair. In order to reduce the risk of failure during ITER operation an effective risk mitigation strategy is necessary. This paper presents such strategy for the ITER electron cyclotron upper port launcher (ECUPL). A preliminary ECUPL risk analysis identifies possible failure modes. A probabilistic risk assessment quantifies the risk of failure using a 4 × 4 impact-likelihood matrix. Impact is quantified through technical, cost and schedule elements. Likelihood depends on the risk mitigation strategy adopted. A cost benefit analysis determines the most cost effective risk mitigation strategy. An essential element in risk mitigation is the testing of equipment prior to installation on the ITER machine. This paper argues the need for low- and highpower millimetre wave tests carried out on the fully assembled ECUPL. It presents a conceptual design for a dedicated on-site test bed that can handle 2 of 8 microwave beams at 2 MW long pulse operation.

Cartographie et gestion des risques en radiothérapie : un travail commun du département de radiothérapie et du département de la qualité et de la gestion des risques de l’institut Jean-Godinot

Purpose To deploy an inductive process for radiotherapy risk management in a regional cancer centre and to infer the actions required to solve the situations of criticality. Methods Close collaboration between the department of radiation oncology-biophysics and the department of quality and risk management in the same institution allowed to create a multiprofessional and multidisciplinary task force and to make the experience feedback easier. A preliminary risk analysis method was used to identify the generic dangers, the mapping of risks and the specification of the scales of criticality. This method helped to evaluate and to rate each apprehended event. Four scales have been defined: seriousness scale in five levels, likelihood scale in five classes, endeavour scale in four levels and criticality scale in three categories: acceptable (criticality 1) tolerable under control (criticality 2) and unacceptable (criticality 3). Results Fifty-seven level 1 dangerous situations linked to 78 scenarios of criticality acceptable, tolerable and unacceptable in 24, 44 and 10 cases respectively have been identified in the department of radiotherapy leading to carry out 28 risk reduction actions. Conclusions The performed risk analysis offered an original frame for a collective thinking among the care providers and contributed to modify their mode of conceiving both security and radioprotection. The study allowed us to give a relevant answer to the High Authority of Health and the Authority of Nuclear Security demands either in terms of efficient management of the risks in radiotherapy or regarding the daily concerns of the caregivers.

Preliminary risk analysis for LNG tankers approaching a maritime terminal

LNG ships may represent a remarkable risk source, especially when approaching a land terminal, not only due to the possible occurrence of maritime accident, but also since they may represent a suitable target for terrorist attacks. A preliminary risk analysis for LNG ships approaching the Panigaglia terminal is carried out: based on literature data and on the characteristics of the location, a spill originated from a sea accident can be excluded; on the contrary, intentional damages may cause the release of a large amount of LNG, giving rise to a pool fire. Consequence analysis shows that dangerous thermal effects are expected within a radius of 700–1500 m; in the location under exam, the impact on resident population will be negligible, for the most probable attack site, and marginal for an occasionally used anchorage, which should be no longer allowed.

Inactivation of digestive proteases by deconjugated bilirubin: the possible evolutionary driving force for bilirubin or biliverdin predominance in animals

<h3>Objectives</h3> In order to improve its quality-assurance programme based on ISO 9001, the Central Sterile Supply Department of a public university hospital has performed a prospective risk analysis using the...

Injuries in U.S. mining operations – A preliminary risk analysis

Despite significant reductions in mining injuries, incidence rates remain high compared to other industries. A systematic risk analysis was undertaken to thoroughly characterize injuries for the 10-year period from 1995 to 2004. Data were obtained from U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reports. The categories: fatalities, non-fatal days-lost (NFDL) injuries, and no-days-lost (NDL) injuries have been analyzed, and a preliminary risk matrix produced. The results show decreasing injury frequency for all categories over the period examined. However, there still exists a “serious” level of risk for fatal and NFDL injuries, and a “moderate” level of risk for NDL injuries. These findings emphasize the need for continued efforts to reduce mining injuries and should be helpful in prioritizing control strategies. The results of this study represent a preliminary “global” risk analysis, and will therefore form the basis of subsequent more detailed studies.

Ethical and social issues in nanobiotechnologies

Nanobiotechnologies represent a rapidly growing field of interest. Several European conferences during the past year have highlighted the wide‐ranging potential of applying techniques at the molecular and atomic levels to understand and transform biosystems, and of using biological principles and materials to create new devices at the nanoscale. This convergence of disciplines holds great promise in medicine for improved diagnostics, less invasive monitoring devices and more targeted therapies, and also has potential for agricultural and environmental applications. However, relatively little has been written about the ethical and social implications of this emerging research area. This article seeks to examine some of these questions, and is based on a report produced by the ethical, legal and social advisory (ELSA) board of the Nano2Life European Network of Excellence in Nanobiotechnology (Bruce, 2006). Nano2Life is funded by the European Commission (EC) under the Sixth Framework Programme. It brings together European research groups from 12 countries to collaborate in specific multidisciplinary projects, which combine the life sciences with microtechnologies and nanotechnologies, materials science, physics and chemistry. The aim is to develop new research tools and applications for medical diagnosis and therapy, and for monitoring food safety and environmental health. Seeking to learn from the major controversy in Europe over genetically modified (GM) foods, Nano2Life established—as an integral part of the network—an advisory board to evaluate possible ethical, legal and social implications. Its role is to advise on particular research projects, to educate participating scientists, and to produce a broad overview of the ethical and social issues (Bruce, 2006), which are summarized in this article. The reflections presented here are insights from board members and some participating scientists, and draw on an initial literature survey (Jomann, 2006). A main aim is to make researchers in both academia and industry aware of the broad ethical …

Estimating Historical Radiation Doses to a Cohort of U.S. Radiologic Technologists

Data have been collected and physical and statistical models have been constructed to estimate unknown occupational radiation doses among 90,000 members of the U.S. Radiologic Technologists cohort who responded to a baseline questionnaire during the mid-1980s. Since the availability of radiation dose data differed by calendar period, different models were developed and applied for years worked before 1960, 1960- 1976 and 1977-1984. The dose estimation used available film-badge measurements (approximately 350,000) for individual cohort members, information provided by the technologists on their work history and protection practices, and measurement and other data derived from the literature. The dosimetry model estimates annual and cumulative occupational badge doses (personal dose equivalent) for each technologist for each year worked from 1916 through 1984 as well as absorbed doses to organs and tissues including bone marrow, female breast, thyroid, ovary, testes, lung and skin. Assumptions have been made about critical variables including average energy of X rays, use of protective aprons, position of film badges, and minimum detectable doses. Uncertainty of badge and organ doses was characterized for each year of each technologist's working career. Monte Carlo methods were used to generate estimates of cumulative organ doses for preliminary cancer risk analyses. The models and predictions presented here, while continuing to be modified and improved, represent one of the most comprehensive dose reconstructions undertaken to date for a large cohort of medical radiation workers.

Phytosanitary importance of Heterodera glycines for South‐east Asian countries

Heterodera glycines is not known to occur in South‐east Asian countries except in Indonesia. Specific surveys carried out recently in central India indicate absence of the nematode. The region has a large area under cultivation of soybean, and also other crop and wild hosts. H. glycines causes annual yield losses of about half a million metric tons in 10 major soybean‐growing countries. Asia has to import half its demand of soybeans, mainly from North America and Brazil, where H. glycines occurs. Spread is mainly through soil mixed with seeds, or by spillage of grain. A preliminary pest risk analysis suggests that the South‐east Asian region is suitable for the introduction and spread of H. glycines. Management practices are suggested to delay its introduction.

Process Risk Assessment and Management in a Petroleum Production Nucleus

This paper aims at presenting an application of process risk management in the oil and gas industry, based on recommended practices of API – (American Petroleum Institute), and specifically API RP 750-Management of Process Hazards. Of a total of eleven management elements that make up this recommended practice this work tackles three, relative to Process Safety Information (first element), Process Hazard Evaluation (second), and Process Management Auditing (eleventh). Show how the application of a structured qualitative process risk analysis methodology, such as the Preliminary Risk Analysis – (PRA) and Hazards and Operability Studies – HAZOP, followed by vulnerability analysis, allow quick identification and evaluation of the main risks of the installations of a typical oil and gas production nucleus of the Brazilian sedimentary basin, enabling their later treatment and management as set by the Excellence Criteria for the state of the art in the management of performance excellency – (2002), of the PNQ (Preˆmio Nacional da Qualidade), item 6.1–-Management of Product Related Processes.

ACHIEVING TRADEOFFS BETWEEN FUNCTIONALITY AND SAFETY IN EARLY SYSTEM DESIGN

In this paper, we propose a novel method that helps designers to form design concepts that achieve optimal tradeoffs among functionality, cost and safety early in the design. The method combines genetic algorithms with preliminary risk analysis and is largely automated thus satisfying the preconditions for application in complex systems. A Pareto multi-objective optimisation approach helps to generate a set of design concepts that represent optimal solutions for different levels of expenditure and risk, while the final decision on which design concepts are most promising is left to humans.

4 - WITHDRAWN: Dangerous Reactions: Methodology

This article has been withdrawn: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This book has been withdrawn as Elsevier no longer has the publishing rights.

Dependability and Safety for Megajoule Laser Operations and Maintenance

Risk assessment of a complex system that uses new technologies is described: the MegaJoule Laser (LMJ). The steps to obtaining the safety and security goals for LMJ are highlighted, i.e., to ensure safe operation, to put in place detection systems and means to prevent or limit serious accidents, and to limit the consequences to the environment and the workers. The objective is to show what has been done during LMJ design and construction to prevent serious accidents during routine operations and maintenance.The risks during operations and maintenance of the LMJ facility are identified by a preliminary risk analysis. The safety management to address adequately the protective features is described. As an example, a main accidental scenario in the LMJ target area is emphasized: workers’ exposure to hazardous levels of nuclear radiation. The LMJ operation and maintenance safety requirements that must be taken into account by the industrial firms to which LMJ contracts have been awarded are discussed.

Preliminary risk analysis applied to the handling of health-care waste

Between 75% and 90% of the waste produced by health-care providers no risk or is general health-care waste, comparable to domestic waste. The remaining 10-25% of health-care waste is regarded as hazardous due to one or more of the following characteristics: it may contain infectious agents, sharps, toxic or hazardous chemicals or it may be radioactive. Infectious health-care waste, particularly sharps, has been responsible for most of the accidents reported in the literature. In this work the preliminary risks analysis (PRA) technique was used to evaluate practices in the handling of infectious health-care waste. Currently the PRA technique is being used to identify and to evaluate the potential for hazard of the activities, products, and services from facilities and industries. The system studied was a health-care establishment which has handling practices for infectious waste. Thirty-six procedures related to segregation, containment, internal collection, and storage operation were analyzed. The severity of the consequences of the failure (risk) that can occur from careless management of infectious health-care waste was classified into four categories: negligible, marginal, critical, and catastrophic. The results obtained in this study showed that events with critics consequences, about 80%, may occur during the implementation of the containment operation, suggesting the need to prioritize this operation. As a result of the methodology applied in this work, a flowchart the risk series was also obtained. In the flowchart the events that can occur as a consequence of a improper handling of infectious health-care waste, which can cause critical risks such as injuries from sharps and contamination (infection) from pathogenic microorganisms, are shown.

Salmonella infections in finishing pigs in The Netherlands: bacteriological herd prevalence, serogroup and antibiotic resistance of isolates and risk factors for infection

Salmonellae are wide spread in man and animals world wide and are of increasing significance as causative agents of foodborne diseases in man. The European Union, national authorities and the pig industry are therefore more and more interested in the Salmonella status of the pig population. The aim of this study was to estimate the bacteriological prevalence of Salmonella in finishing pig herds, the serogroup and the resistance to antibiotics of the isolated Salmonellae and a preliminary risk analysis of factors associated with infection. For this, 317 finishing pig herds were randomly selected from a database containing 1500 herds in the southern part of the Netherlands. In each herd 24 samples of fresh faeces were collected from two compartments with pigs close to market weight. Per compartment 12 samples of faeces were pooled into one pooled sample. Pooled samples were cultured in duplicate. Salmonella spp. were recovered from 71 out of 306 herds (23%) in which two compartments could be sampled. A total of 108 isolated Salmonella’s were serotyped: 71 serogroup B, 3 serogroup C1, 6 serogroup C2, 22 serogroup D1, and 6 isolates neither serogroup B, C or D1. Of a total of 115 Salmonella isolates tested, none were resistant to colistin, enrofloxacin, flumequin or gentamicin. Automated liquid feeding of by-products, and membership of an Integrated Quality Control (IQC) production group were associated with a decreased risk of infection, while use of trough feeding was associated with an increased risk of infection. It is necessary to test these presumed risk factors in intervention studies to evaluate their potency to reduce the Salmonella prevalence in finishing pigs and thereby reduce the risk of Salmonellosis in people consuming pork.

The use of risk analysis for design improvement

The EEC directive on ‘Major Accidents Hazards of Certain Industrial Activities’ has been implemented in Denmark. One of the first plants approved in accordance with the directive was a herbicide production plant. A risk analysis of the plant comprised hazard identification, consequence calculations, and a probabilistic assessment. Risk analysis was used in an iterative process for safety improvements. The plant designer proposed changes based on the results of the preliminary risk analysis and the impact of the proposed changes was analysed. The number of causes for offsite impact was lowered significantly and the probability of lethal offsite impact was lowered by a factor of 30. Experience concerning improvement and approval processes is described.