Health & Environment Toxicological Risk Assessment

WRc's team at the National Centre for Environmental Toxicology (NCET) evaluates the potential for chemicals to produce adverse effects on humans and the environment.

Human health risk assessment

NCET has a wealth of expertise in mammalian toxicology and human health risk assessment. This includes evaluation of the potential harmful effects of chemicals from water, air, soil, consumer products, and cosmetics, amongst others.

We can provide risk assessments of chemicals in the form of:

  • Hazard identification: Collating and evaluating toxicological data
  • Hazard characterisation: Determining levels at which potential hazards may or may not occur
  • Exposure assessment: Carrying out exposure modelling to determine the levels of exposure that may occur 
  • Risk characterisation: Comparing the level of exposure to the level at which hazards may or may not occur 

Environmental risk assessment

NCET can advise on sources of contaminants and their routes into the environment. This includes:

  • Point and diffuse sources: release of substances, whether localised (e.g., pipe discharge) or widespread (e.g., runoff).
  • Fate and behaviour: how substances interact with and accumulate in the environment.

    We provide risk and exposure assessments for chemicals in animals, water, soils and sediments. Our team can:

    • Consult on and interpret the fate of environmental contaminants.
    • Collate and evaluate toxicological data in a variety of media.
    • Terrestrial and aquatic ecotoxicology hazard assessment.
    • Predictions of likely environmental concentrations, including Predicted Environmental or No Effect Concentrations (PNECs / PECs).
    • Assess secondary poisoning risks to higher aquatic organisms and humans.

    Client-centered consultancy services

    NCET's helpful and informative team deliver concise, easily-understood reports to educate, guide and explain clients' obligations.

    Whenever, wherever you need us

    NCET provide a 27/4 Toxicology on Demand service entrusted by leading water utility companies.

    Providers of independent advice

    Advising on your toxicology issues is always based on honesty and transparency.

    Ensuring regulatory compliance

    NCET interpret regulatory guidance on risk assessment requirements for our clients, minimising corporate risks associated with non-compliance.

    Independent and trusted advisors

    NCET is the UK's leading independent advisor on the risks posed to human health and to the environment by chemicals, micro-organisms and other naturally occurring and man-made substances.

    NCET's services are heavily relied upon by regulators; we maintain all-hours toxicology advice to UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) and its membership, and support out-of-hours enquiries to the Environmental Agency (EA).

    Get in touch via the contact form at the bottom of this page to enquire about our subscription service: Toxicology on Demand.

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