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PNS0159
Risk assessment of chemicals
The course design follows the structure of the book "Risk Assessment of chemicals: An introduction" (van Leeuwen and Vermiere, 2007), which is the main course book. The students will be assigned to present selected chapters of the book to their fellow students at seminars at joint events for all participants. Each seminar will be followed by a discussion organized by the responsible student. The course organizers and other teachers will be present at the seminars for answering questions and guiding, but the learning process primarily builds on the student’s own capacity to acquire knowledge and to find answers. The students will be encouraged to go beyond the course book to find illustrative examples to present to fellow students. The final individual task will be to review and present a scientific paper that highlights aspects relevant to an up-to-date chemical risk assessment. The student is by then expected to have reached a stage where he/she is able to discuss and evaluate the different aspects associated to e.g., hazard identification, exposure assessment, health effects, and risk management.
At least three external researchers from a relevant field of research will be invited to give lectures, to provide input, to illustrate how a risk assessment is applied, and to show how new data can facilitate better understanding and handling of chemicals.
Students from different departments at SLU, and other universities (e.g. Stockholm, Örebro and Umeå University) will be invited to attend the course. Depending on the number of students from each university, the seminars could alternate between the participating students’ departments. This will enhance the students’ network building and facilitate collaboration between departments.
At least three external researchers from a relevant field of research will be invited to give lectures, to provide input, to illustrate how a risk assessment is applied, and to show how new data can facilitate better understanding and handling of chemicals.
Students from different departments at SLU, and other universities (e.g. Stockholm, Örebro and Umeå University) will be invited to attend the course. Depending on the number of students from each university, the seminars could alternate between the participating students’ departments. This will enhance the students’ network building and facilitate collaboration between departments.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
PNS0159 Risk assessment of chemicals, 7.5 Credits
Subjects
Chemistry, Environmental AssesmentEducation cycle
Postgraduate levelGrading scale
Pass / Failed
Prior knowledge
Students must be enrolled as PhD students in a subject that is related to the course themes (environmental sciences or equivalent) or being a researcher within environmental sciences or equivalent.Objectives
The aim of this course is to introduce the students to the principles of risk assessment of chemicals. The course will provide basic background information on possible sources, emissions, distribution and fate of potential hazardous chemicals for the estimation of health risks posed for organisms including human beings. Possible exposure pathways include indoor and outdoor exposure, direct and indirect exposure, as well as occupational exposure. The course covers aspects of environmental chemistry, toxicology, ecotoxicology as well as the legislative framework focusing on chemicals in Europe. Individual learning outcomes (ILO) are listed below. The student will be able to: - Explain the basic structures and principles of risk assessments of chemicals (ILO 1) - Discuss and communicate with experts at all stages along the risk assessment procedure (ILO 2) - Assess and value the quality of the input data to a performed risk assessment of chemicals (ILO 3) - Review of a real-life risk assessment and to present the outcome to the other students and teachers in a critical manner, highlighting the limitations and possible sources of errors (ILO 4)Content
The course design follows the structure of the book "Risk Assessment of chemicals: An introduction" (van Leeuwen and Vermiere, 2007), which is the main course book. The students will be assigned to present selected chapters of the book to their fellow students at seminars at joint events for all participants. Each seminar will be followed by a discussion organized by the responsible student. The course organizers and other teachers will be present at the seminars for answering questions and guiding, but the learning process primarily builds on the student’s own capacity to acquire knowledge and to find answers. The students will be encouraged to go beyond the course book to find illustrative examples to present to fellow students. The final individual task will be to review and present a scientific paper that highlights aspects relevant to an up-to-date chemical risk assessment. The student is by then expected to have reached a stage where he/she is able to discuss and evaluate the different aspects associated to e.g., hazard identification, exposure assessment, health effects, and risk management. At least three external researchers from a relevant field of research will be invited to give lectures, to provide input, to illustrate how a risk assessment is applied, and to show how new data can facilitate better understanding and handling of chemicals. Students from different departments at SLU, and other universities (e.g. Stockholm, Örebro and Umeå University) will be invited to attend the course. Depending on the number of students from each university, the seminars could alternate between the participating students’ departments. This will enhance the students’ network building and facilitate collaboration between departments.Additional information
Register for the course by email to Jana Weiss: jana.weiss@slu.seDepartment of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, SLU, Uppsala
Please provide your name, social security number (Swedish personnummer), telephone number, and information about your home department and the PhD program/post-doc project to which you are enrolled at.
Responsible department
Department of Aquatic Science and Assessment