After completing the course, the student should be able to

1. describe the main chemical and toxicological processes determining emission, fate, accumulation and effects of pollutants,

2. apply simple models simulating the above-mentioned processes and interpret the results and

3. critically reflect upon human and ecological risk assessments of pollutants from a scientific and stakeholder perspective.

Relevance

The course Human and Ecological Risk Assessment is relevant for those who aspire to one of the following functions in research or management on environmental, nature and water issues,  esp.

- Officer in a governmental body, involved in the determination or enforcement of policy on pollution,

- Manager in a company involved in permit applications and monitoring of compliance with emission standards,

- Advisor in a consultancy firm, involved in analysis of pollution in relation to other environmental issues,

- Scientist in an institute (e.g. RIVM, university) investigating environmental quality (standards),

- Staff member of a Health Care Inspectorate, employed for surveillance of the environmental health.

- Activist in environmental groups, involved in the public awareness of pollution,

Contents
The course Human and Ecological Risk Assessment is an introduction to the study of pollutants in the environment. It provides the chemical, toxicological and ecological knowledge needed to understand the processes determining the emission, fate, accumulation and effects of substances. Moreover, the course addresses the quantitative methods to assess the risks of pollutants on ecosystem and human health.

Instructional modes