The Swiss Precautionary Matrix Sample Clauses

The Swiss Precautionary Matrix. The Swiss Precautionary Matrix was developed by TEMAS in Switzerland (▇▇▇▇ et al., 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013) for the Swiss Federal Council (FOEN) to assess health and environmental risks of nanoproducts. The tool provides advice on whether a precautionary approach is required under normal working conditions, worst case scenario and for the environment. A score is determined for each scenario which is a function of the scores assigned for ‘Nano-Relevance’ (N), ‘Potential Effect’ (W), ‘Potential Human Exposure/Potential Input into Environment’ (E), ‘Available Information on Life Cycle’ (I). The Precautionary Matrix contains two criteria for assessing nano-relevance. The first criterion is based on the EU proposed definition 2011/696/EU: The second being that nanospecific effects cannot be excluded even for particles > 100 nm as particles of up to ca. 300 nm can be taken up by organisms and cells (▇▇▇▇ et al., 2013). The Precautionary Approach definition is as follows: The potential for causing health effects is determined based on the redox activity, catalytic activity and/or ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species)-formation (scored as 1 for those where the hazard is low, 5 for medium and 9 for high). This is then combined with the stability in the body or in the environment (assigned 1 for a short half-life (hours), 5 for a medium half-life (days/weeks) and 9 for a long half-life (months)) to derive an effect score for human or environment, respectively. Potential for exposure is determined by the amount of the material being handled, the frequency of handling for both workers and consumers, and the form of the exposure and expressed as a score. To estimate the precautionary need (V), the values determined for potential effect (W) and potential human exposure / input into the environment (E) are multiplied by each other. Then I as a measure of the available information is added and the result is multiplied by the nanorelevance (N). All of these scores are then combined: 𝑉 = 𝑁 ∗ (𝑊 ∗ 𝐸 + 𝐼) Based on the result for V for the need for a precautionary approach is determined for: Employees (normal production and worst case) Consumers Environment (disposal step of production waste, during use with specific waste disposal, disposal step of a utility product, use without specific waste disposal). The scores are split into two classes. Table 3 highlighting how the classes are determined; A – A low need for any specific nanomaterial action, and B – Nanospecific action is needed.