Precaution: Belief, Regulatory System, and Overarching Principle

Raffensperger, Carolyn; Schettler, Ted; Myers, Nancy

doi:10.1179/oeh.2000.6.4.266

Cited by 22 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Moreover, demand by industrial interests for scientific proof of direct causal association has resulted in long delays in the introduction of controls or withdrawal of some substances shown to be toxic. Those interested in further information on risk assessment are referred to Enivronmental Health Risk Management: A Primer for Canadians (97), Environment Standard Setting and Children's Health (the recent report of the Canadian Environmental Law Association and Ontario College of Family Physicians) (100) and a recent series of articles on the topic (98,99,(101)(102)(103)(104)(105)(106). Risk assessment certainly has a place in the regulatory process and must continue, but society currently needs policies that are more responsive to early warning signs.…”

Section: Limitations Of Risk Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(113) Important features of this version of the precautionary principle are that it is indeed a principle, not simply an approach; that it does not require 'evidence of serious or irreversible threat'; that burden of proof and persuasion lies with the proponent of the activity; and that it does not require that measures should be cost effective. It has four critical elements of precaution: prompt action, even in scientific uncertainty; burden of proof and persuasion on proponents; transparency; and the assessment of alternatives (102). This recent version of the principle has been widely welcomed in international environmental circles and, will be used to guide future environmental policies for societies seeking greater safety for their members.…”

Section: The Precautionary Principlementioning

confidence: 99%

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Environmental contaminants and children's health: Cause for concern, time for action

Chance

2001

Paediatrics &Amp; Child Health

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The present paper provides an outline of the developmental and behavioural characteristics that make children, especially the fetus and young child, more vulnerable to contaminants than adults. The major categories of contaminants are briefly described. The evidence for their possible effects on neurobehavioural development; immune, endocrine and respiratory systems; childhood cancer based on research studies with animals; children exposed to catastrophic 'accidents' involving overdose exposures; and pregnant women and children from communities with high 'background' levels of contamination who participated in studies is reviewed. While the data are worrisome, especially for children living in northern and certain urban communities, much remains to be learned about possible subtle effects and the potential for long term effects of the current background contamination experienced by the majority of Canadian children before its significance to their health can be fully evaluated. The present regulatory processes, which are based on risk assessment, are so cumbersome and costly that the great majority of chemicals in use have not been fully evaluated, and the ingenuity of new chemical production continually exceeds the capacity to test the new chemicals. Moreover, despite past insistence on scientific proof of adverse effects and safety, unanticipated effects have occurred that will threaten the sustainability of human life unless more effective control measures are taken to limit the release of toxic substances and persistent chemicals into the environment. Therefore, the shortcomings of risk assessment are discussed, and the precautionary principle, which is used in some countries and is proposed for use internationally as an alternative measure that may offer improved control for the future, is outlined. Finally, opportunities for physician action are suggested.

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Section: Limitations Of Risk Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Precautionary Principlementioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental contaminants and children's health: Cause for concern, time for action

Chance

2001

Paediatrics &Amp; Child Health

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“…But, of particular pertinence to the present article, the role of risk perception, as part of a democratic participatory process, has been emphasized by those who view the precautionary principle as antithetical to risk assessment. (3,(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) A major argument used by those who focus on primary precautionary approaches unrelated to classic risk-based management is that the precautionary principle is more democratic. There have been well-reasoned arguments that locate the precautionary principle within the high ground of postmodern democracy in which the will of the people is stressed as being superior to that of technocrats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Precautionary Principle and/or Risk Assessment in World Trade Organization Decisions: A Possible Role for Risk Perception

Goldstein

Carruth²

2004

Risk Analysis

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Risk analysis has been recognized and validated in World Trade Organization (WTO) decision processes. In recent years the precautionary principle has been proposed as an additional or alternative approach to standard risk assessment. The precautionary principle has also been advocated by some who see it as part of postmodern democracy in which more power is given to the public on health and safety matters relative to the judgments of technocrats. A more cynical view is that the precautionary principle is particularly championed by the European Community as a means to erect trade barriers. The WTO ruling against the European Community's trade barrier against beef from hormone-treated cattle seemed to support the use of risk assessment and appeared to reject the argument that the precautionary principle was a legitimate basis for trade barriers. However, a more recent WTO decision on asbestos contains language suggesting that the precautionary principle, in the form of taking into account public perception, may be acceptable as a basis for a trade barrier. This decision, if followed in future WTO trade disputes, such as for genetically modified foods, raises many issues central to the field of risk analysis. It is too early to tell whether the precautionary principle will become accepted in WTO decisions, either as a supplement or a substitute for standard risk assessment. But it would undermine the value of the precautionary principle if this principle were misused to justify unwarranted trade barriers.

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“…The precautionary principle should guide clinical practice, but decisions should be based on solid scientific rationale and available medical evidence. 14 When assessing adverse reactions following the use of sulfa drugs, it is important to determine the chemical nature of the agent in question, the rates of similar reactions previously reported with the specific agent, and any individual susceptibilities that the patient may have to such reactions (ie, a history of other drug-induced allergic reactions). 8 Having a previous medical history of a hypersensitivity reaction to a sulfonamide antibiotic should not preclude the use of non-arylamine sulfonamides.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%