Covering theory and case studies, this course trains students to identify, collect, and critically analyze data pertinent to assessing human health risks posed by contaminants in the environment. This course will cover the following topics:

• Theories and methods of risk assessment as practiced in Canada, and scientific issues and uncertainties being investigated in Canada and internationally

• Problem Formulation: outlining specific problems and most relevant issues for the particular situation

• Exposure Assessment: quantifying daily dose for critical receptor groups

• Hazard (toxicological) Assessment: defining the safe or tolerable dose by critical analysis of dose-response relationships in toxicological and epidemiological data

• Incorporation of new estimation approaches for low dose extrapolation

• Risk Characterization: comparing dose received to safe or tolerable dose and qualifying the significance of that result

• Background exposure and situation-specific exposures, and how these can be combined

• The application of probability theory to show how genetic, ethnic, geographic, and other factors affect risk assessment

Dr. Steven Siciliano – CREATE HERA Director

Dr. Mark Richardson - SNC-Lavalin Environment