Learning Outcomes
After completing the modules in this eLearning course, you will be able to:
Module 1: natural background and essentiality
- Recognise that metals are naturally occurring substances that warrant a specific approach to take this into account
- Distinguish the differences between essential and non-essential metals
- Describe how processes, such as adaptation and acclimation, work and may affect the environmental risk assessment of metals
- Explain how essentiality affect the shape of the dose-response for human health risk assessment
Module 2: bioavailability
- Explain that metals are naturally occurring substances that warrant a specific approach to take these metal specificities into account
- Define the key concepts governing the bioavailability of metals in the environment
- Describe how bioavailability data can be generated and used for human health
- Summarise the different tools available to assess bioavailability.
Module 3: data handling (quality, relevance, aggregation) and read-across
- Outline how to assess the quality of ecotoxicity data
- Define the metal specific attention points that should be considered
- Explain how data can be aggregated and used to derive safe thresholds, and data gaps filled using read-across approaches
Module 4: inhalation toxicology
- Explain the importance of the inhalation exposure route for metals and the type of effects that can occur
- List aspects to consider when assessing inhalation exposure
- Outline how absorption after inhalation (for systemic effects) can be assessed
Module 5: genotoxicity/carcinogenicity
- Outline the key definitions for the genotoxicity/mutagenicity activity of metals
- Discuss how metals can cause genotoxicity/mutagenicity
- Describe the different tests available to assess genotoxicity/mutagenicity
- Explain where metal specificities may occur in mechanisms of action and in testing strategies
- Define the link with carcinogenicity and the importance of a possible threshold for metals.
Module 6: assessment of man via the environment exposure
- Outline the scope and elements covered in a Man to Environment assessment
- Describe the current default Tier 1 approach should only be considered a first tier screening assessment
- Discuss which areas and tiered approaches can be used to improve the MvE assessment for metals and inorganic substances
Module 7: the role of materials flow and diffuse source assessments
- Explain the importance of documenting the materials flow in identifying and quantifying emission sources in risk assessment
- Recall where metals in the environment come from, and the differences between point source, diffuse and fugitive emissions
- Outline the factors determining the diffuse emissions from metals in products
- Describe the importance for risk management of assessing the contribution of the different sources of metals to environmental exposure