Lexikon

environmental risk assessment provides an objective, technical evaluation of the likelihood of unacceptable impacts to human health and the environment. The purpose is to assess the need for protective measures, since a specific risk assessment is a precondition for any such protective measures. (Source: EUGRIS)

the Committee for risk Assessment (RAC) is an Agency committee that is responsible for preparing the opinion of the Agency on evaluations, applications for authorisation, proposals for restrictions and proposals for classification and labelling under the classification and labelling inventory task and any other questions that arise from the operation of this Regulation relating to risks to human health or the environment. The RAC consists of at least one but no more than two members from the nominees of each Member State appointed by the Management Board for a renewable term of three years. The Committee members may be accompanied by advisers on scientific, technical or regulatory matters.

(Source: REACH)

risk-benefit analysis is the comparison of the risk of a situation to its related benefits. (Source: EUGRIS)

final step in chemical safety assessment, it consists of estimation of the incidence and severity of the adverse effects likely to occur in a human population or environmental compartment due to actual or predicted exposure to a substance. It may include a “risk estimation”, i.e. the quantification of that likelihood. risk characterisation is made for each exposure scenario and for each target population or compartment. (Source: REACH Glossary)

measures in the control strategy for a substance that reduce the emission and exposure to a substance, thereby reducing and controlling the risk to human health or the environment.

RMMs include e.g. containment of process, local exhaust ventilation, gloves, waste water treatment, exhaust air filters.
More general: RMMs include any action, use of tool, change of parameters state that is introduced during manufacture or use of a substance (either in a pure state or in a preparation) in order to prevent, control, or reduce exposure of humans and/or the environment.

Source: REACH Glossary

Source: REACH Glossary.

the dumped red mud poses risk on humans, nature and built environment. The main risks are the following:

• Risk of the tailing-dumps: statical risks such as break of dams,
• Chemical risks due to high pH: dermal and eye irritation and corrosion,
• Risk of the high pH dust on the respiratory system,
• Some red muds contain toxic metals in higher concentration than acceptable.

See also: red mud components and red mud recycling

a body of inland water flowing for the most part on the surface of the land but which may flow underground for part of its course.

he area of land from which all surface run-off flows through a sequence of streams, rivers and, possibly, lakes into the sea at a single river mouth, estuary or delta.

the area of land and sea, made up of one or more neighbouring river basins together with their associated groundwaters and coastal waters, which is identified under 60/2000/EC, Article 3(1) as the main unit for management of river basins.

Information provided on substance properties derived from testing (or otherwise), should be supported by sufficient information to show that the results are valid and reliable. Data should be traceable and validated.

REACH refers to study summaries and robust study summaries which it defines as:

Study summary: A summary of the objectives, methods, results and conclusions of a full study report providing sufficient information to make an assessment of the relevance of the study.

Robust study summary: A detailed summary of the objectives, methods, results and conclusions of a full study report providing sufficient information to make an independent assessment of the study minimising the need to consult the full study report.

A robust study summary is more detailed than a study summary, but even these definitions do not really clearly define the boundary between them. It will be ECHA and the MSCAs during the evaluation process who make the final decision on whether enough information has been provided.

IUCLID 5 contains input fields for (robust) study summaries data. It also asks for a confidence rating in the results of the study. Not all data will carry the same weight. It is also possible to attach the full study to the IUCLID file, but this should be done in addition to completing the data entry fields, not instead of.

Source: http://www.reach-serv.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=160&Itemid=64

in geology, rock is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids. The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. The scientific study of rocks is called petrology. Petrography is a branch of petrology that focuses on detailed descriptions of rocks. Rocks are classified by mineral and chemical composition, by the texture of the constituent particles and by the processes that formed them. These indicators separate rocks into igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. igneous rocks are formed when molten magma cools and are divided into two main categories: plutonic igneous rocks and volcanic rocks. sedimentary rocks are formed by deposition of either clastic sediments, organic matter, or chemical precipitates (evaporites), followed by compaction of the particulate matter and cementation during diagenesis. Sedimentary rocks form at or near the Earth's surface. metamorphic rocks are formed by subjecting any rock type (including previously-formed metamorphic rock) to different temperature and pressure conditions than those in which the original rock was formed. These temperatures and pressures are always higher than those at the Earth's surface and must be sufficiently high so as to change the original minerals into other mineral types or else into other forms of the same minerals (e.g. by recrystallisation). Petrographic descriptions start with the field notes at the outcrop and include megascopic description of hand specimens. The macroscopic characters of rocks, those visible in hand-specimens without the aid of the microscope, are very varied. The geologist in the field depends principally on them and they usually serve for a preliminary classification. However, the most important tool for the petrographer is the petrographic microscope. The detailed analysis of minerals by optical mineralogy in thin section and the micro-texture and structure are critical to understanding the origin of the rock. Characteristics observed under the microscope include colour, colour variation under plane polarised light, fracture characteristics of the grains, refractive index and optical symmetry. The more difficult and skilful part of optical petrography is identifying the interrelationships between grains and relating them to features seen in hand specimen, at outcrop, or in mapping. (http://en.wikipedia.org)

Remote Procedure Call

standard phrases relating to the safe use of dangerous chemical substance. For example "Keep container tightly closed" or "avoid contact with skin" or "do not empty into drains". When the current provisions are repealed and GHS enters into force, the S-phrases will be replaced by "precautionary statements". (Source: REACH Glossary).

The S-phrases are enlisted under the entry of "safety advice for the use of dangerous substances".

safety is the state of being "safe" (from French sauf), the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be considered non-desirable. Safety can also be defined to be the control of recognized hazards to achieve an acceptable level of risk. This can take the form of being protected from the event or from exposure to something that causes health or economical losses. It can include protection of people or of possessions.

In environmental science and management chemical safety has priority importance. Chemical safety means that the risk of hazardous chemical substances on humans or ecosystem is reducen onto an acceptable level.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety

European Union Directive 67/548/EEC: Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. The list was consolidated and republished in Directive 2001/59/EC.

Simple phrases

(S1): Keep locked up

(S2): Keep out of the reach of children

S3: Keep in a cool place

S4: Keep away from living quarters

S5: Keep contents under ... (appropriate liquid to be specified by the manufacturer)

S6: Keep under ... (inert gas to be specified by the manufacturer)

S7: Keep container tightly closed

S8: Keep container dry

S9: Keep container in a well-ventilated place

S10: Keep contents wet

S11: Avoid contact with air

S12: Do not keep the container sealed

S13: Keep away from food, drink and animal foodstuffs

S14: Keep away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer)

S15: Keep away from heat

S16: Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking

S17: Keep away from combustible material

S18: Handle and open container with care

S20: When using do not eat or drink

S21: When using do not smoke

S22: Do not breathe dust

S23: Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapour/spray (appropriate wording to be specified by the manufacturer)

S24: Avoid contact with skin

S25: Avoid contact with eyes

S26: In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice

S27: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing

S28: After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be specified by the manufacturer)

S29: Do not empty into drains

S30: Never add water to this product

S33: Take precautionary measures against static discharges

S35: This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way

S36: Wear suitable protective clothing

S37: Wear suitable gloves

S38: In case of insufficient ventilation wear suitable respiratory equipment

S39: Wear eye/face protection

S40: To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this material use ... (to be specified by the manufacturer)

S41: In case of fire and/or explosion do not breathe fumes

S42: During fumigation/spraying wear suitable respiratory equipment (appropriate wording to be specified by the manufacturer)

S43: In case of fire use ... (indicate in the space the precise type of fire-fighting equipment. If water increases the risk add - Never use water)

S45: In case of accident or if you feel unwell seek medical advice immediately (show the label where possible)

S46: If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label

S47: Keep at temperature not exceeding ... °C (to be specified by the manufacturer)

S48: Keep wet with ... (appropriate material to be specified by the manufacturer)

S49: Keep only in the original container

S50: Do not mix with ... (to be specified by the manufacturer)

S51: Use only in well-ventilated areas

S52: Not recommended for interior use on large surface areas

S53: Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use

S56: Dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point

S57: Use appropriate containment to avoid environmental contamination

S59: Refer to manufacturer/supplier for information on recovery/recycling

S60: This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste

S61: Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/safety data sheet

S62: If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label

S63: In case of accident by inhalation: remove casualty to fresh air and keep at rest

S64: If swallowed, rinse mouth with water (only if the person is conscious)

Combinations

(S1/2): Keep locked up and out of the reach of children

S3/7: Keep container tightly closed in a cool place

S3/7/9: Keep container tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated place

S3/9/14: Keep in a cool, well-ventilated place away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer)

S3/9/14/49: Keep only in the original container in a cool, well-ventilated place away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer)

S3/9/49: Keep only in the original container in a cool, well-ventilated place

S3/14 Keep in a cool place away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer)

S7/8: Keep container tightly closed and dry

S7/9: Keep container tightly closed and in a well-ventilated place

S7/47: Keep container tightly closed and at temperature not exceeding ... °C (to be specified by the manufacturer)

S20/21: When using do not eat, drink or smoke

S24/25: Avoid any inhalation, contact with skin and eyes. Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves

S27/28: After contact with skin, take off immediately all contaminated clothing, and wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be specified by the manufacturer)

S29/35: Do not empty into drains; dispose of this material and its container in a safe way

S29/56: Do not empty into drains, dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point

S36/37: Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves

S36/37/39: Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection

S36/39: Wear suitable protective clothing and eye/face protection

S37/39: Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection

S47/49: Keep only in the original container at temperature not exceeding ... °C (to be specified by the manufacturer)

safety at work is widely accepted as the authoritative guide to safety and health in the workplace and covers all aspects of safety management.

the safety data sheet is the main tool used in industry for communicating information on the hazard of dangerous substances and preparations through the supply chain. Annex II of REACH is based on the Annex to the safety data sheet Directive (91/155/EEC) and explains what information should be included under each of the 16 safety data sheet headings. (Source: REACH Glossary)

Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) adopted on 6 February 2006 in Dubai.

SAICM supports the achievement of the goal agreed at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development of ensuring that, by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health.

Source: http://www.saicm.org/index.php?ql=h&content=home

the process through which fresh (drinkable) water becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops.

Soil salination is a process that may result from: 1. high levels of salt in the soils; 2. landscape features that allow salts to become mobile, 3. climatic trends that favor accumulation, 4. human activities such as land clearing and aquaculture activities.

a portion or piece of a whole. A selected subset of a population or subset of whatever is being studied. For example, in a study of people the sample is a number of people chosen from a larger population. An environmental sample (for example, a small amount of soil or water) might be collected to measure contamination in the environment at a specific location.

The sample should truly represent the population or environment is being studied. It is ensured by statistically suitable sample size and sample and sample type.

To collect a representative sample-set from the environment we have to design sampling carefully. In case of contaminated sites our sampling should be based on the risk of the contaminant and on the integrated risk model or conceptual model of the site.

the scale problem is due to the spatiotemporal (i.e., in space and in time) variability of the systems of interest: statements that concern a particular scale may (and often will) not hold at other scales. Hence, extrapolation of understanding to a larger or to a smaller scale may require additional knowledge at these larger or smaller scales. (Source: EUGRIS)