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Risk Services

Assess:
TERA uses diverse scientific literature which is crucial for developing robust chemical risk assessments using contemporary methods. It allows TERA to stay abreast of the latest toxicological findings, exposure modeling techniques, and regulatory guidelines. By critically evaluating studies on chemical properties, environmental fate, and human health impacts, TERA then refines our understanding of potential hazards. Furthermore, literature review facilitates the adoption of advanced methodologies, such as in silico modeling, high-throughput screening, and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, which enhance the precision and efficiency of risk assessment processes. TERA’s ongoing engagement with research ensures that risk assessments reflect the most current scientific understanding and contribute to informed decision-making regarding chemical safety.
Review:
TERA’s staff performs comprehensive review of existing safety and risk assessments with a neutral and objective approach. This involves systematically examining the methodologies employed, the data utilized, and the conclusions drawn in each assessment. The focus is on identifying both strengths and weaknesses, without bias towards any particular outcome. Underlying issues, such as potential gaps in data collection, inconsistencies in risk evaluation, or variations in applied standards, must be carefully documented. It's crucial to analyze how these assessments address diverse perspectives and potential vulnerabilities, ensuring a holistic understanding of the risks involved. This process is designed to provide a clear and unbiased foundation for informed decision-making.
Develop:
Fostering robust safety and risk assessments necessitates the deliberate cultivation of collaborative environments where diverse scientists across the world and stakeholders converge. TERA actively seeks out individuals with varied expertise, including toxicologists, epidemiologists, social scientists, and community representatives, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of potential hazards and their impacts. By integrating diverse perspectives, TERA can identify blind spots, challenge assumptions, and develop more nuanced and contextually relevant assessments. This collaborative approach not only strengthens the scientific rigor of the process but also enhances public trust by ensuring that a broad range of concerns and values are considered, leading to more informed and equitable risk management decisions.
Research:
Improving risk assessment methods necessitates a multi-faceted approach centered on rigorous research, open debate, and widespread publication. TERA staff focuses on developing more accurate and adaptable models, incorporating diverse data sources, and understanding the complex interplay of contributing factors. We welcome open debate. Involving experts from various disciplines and stakeholders is crucial for challenging existing assumptions, identifying biases, and fostering innovation. Then we disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications ensuring transparency and sharing knowledge. This allows for continuous refinement of methodologies, ultimately leading to more effective and reliable risk assessments.
Teach:
TERA works to ensure the future of robust risk assessment. Doing so requires a dedicated effort to educate and mentor the next generation of scientists. This involves fostering a deep understanding of complex data analysis, predictive modeling, and the ethical considerations inherent in risk evaluation. We must cultivate critical thinking skills, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and provide hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies. By emphasizing the importance of transparency, reproducibility, and a commitment to public health, TERA through our course offerings empowers emerging scientists to develop and implement innovative strategies that effectively mitigate risks and safeguard communities.
Outreach:
a. TERA’s outreach results in meaningful dialogue between the public and government officials. This type of communication is crucial for a transparent and effective safety/risk assessment process. It involves creating accessible platforms for open communication, where citizens can voice their concerns, ask questions, and provide valuable input. Government agencies, in turn, must be prepared to clearly explain the methodologies used in risk assessments, the data that informs their decisions, and how public feedback is incorporated. TERA believes this type of exchange fosters trust, enhances public understanding of complex safety issues, and ensures that risk management strategies reflect the values and priorities of the parties involved. Ultimately, collaborative discussions between the public and government officials are essential for building a safer and more resilient society.

Corporate Info

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  • ITER ITER

Contacts

  • 1250 Ohio Pike, Suite 197, Cincinnati Ohio 45102
  • 513.488.1990
  • TERA@TERA.ORG

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WEEL OEL

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) are designed to safeguard the health of healthy workers during their careers. These limits are based on the assumption of repeated daily exposure throughout a working lifetime, typically averaged over an 8-hour workday. Their purpose is to prevent both immediate (acute) and long-term (chronic) health issues arising from workplace exposures. It’s important to note that OELs are not intended for the general public, which includes vulnerable groups like infants, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Workplace Environmental Exposure Levels (WEELs) are health-based guidelines for chemical hazards in the workplace. These values represent air concentrations believed to protect the majority of workers from negative health effects resulting from occupational chemical exposure.

The WEEL Process
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The development of new or revision of existing WEELs is typically assigned to voluntarily designated subcommittees. A subcommittee usually comprises 3 – 4 members from the WEEL Committee. New WEELs are developed using the OARS-WEEL administrative standard operating procedure (SOP), while existing WEELs are usually revised every 10 years, unless the availability of significant new data which may impact the existing WEEL value compels the committee to make a revision sooner. The OARS-WEEL SOP contains procedures and guidelines governing conflicts of interest, draft document preparation, literature searches, draft document review, balloting process, post-ballot WEEL documentation quality assurance scientific review, and publication.

Once a subcommittee has prepared a draft WEEL document, a review of the draft is scheduled for the next available Committee meeting. The WEEL Committee members are expected to have reviewed all such drafts prior to the meeting. If no major changes are necessary to a draft, the attending Committee membership may, by a simple majority, approve the WEEL for balloting. Alternatively, the Committee may direct the subcommittee to revise the WEEL and present it for further discussion at a future meeting. If a ballot is not approved by a two-thirds majority of non-abstaining Committee members, it is discussed at the next Committee meeting to determine the appropriate course of action. Once the WEEL is approved by a two-thirds majority of non-abstaining Committee members, copies of ballot comments are forwarded to the designated subcommittee and all substantive comments must be addressed in the final draft. If resolution of a substantive comment results in a change to the WEEL value or a change in the basis for the value, the draft must be re-balloted.

Once all comments have been addressed on a successfully balloted draft, document formatting and editorial review are performed by TERA, before the draft WEEL document is made available for public comment (usually for a period of 30 days but may be extended if the need arises). After the public comment period has elapsed, comments are addressed by the subcommittee responsible for that specific draft, after which the WEEL documentation is submitted to Toxicology and Industrial Health (TIH), a peer-reviewed medical journal that covers research in the fields of occupational health and toxicology, for publication. A thorough review of the galley proof by the scientific content quality coordinator at TERA, and proofreaders and editors at TIH is the penultimate step before eventual publication of the WEEL documentation.

The WEEL Committee

The OARS-WEEL Committee is composed of volunteer experts specializing in the scientific determination of occupational exposure levels. This committee actively seeks a balanced representation of professionals from toxicology and industrial hygiene, drawing upon a diverse range of experience from industry, government, academia, and consulting. Importantly, each member contributes to the Committee based on their individual expertise and not as an official representative of their respective employer, organization, or agency.