List the steps of risk assessment and provide an explanation of each step.
Your response must be at least 75 words in length.
Question 3
Question 3
Explain the terms risk assessment and risk management in the field of occupational safety and health. What is the relationship between the activities of risk assessment to risk management?
Your response must be at least 75 words in length.
Question 4
Question 4
Insecticides/pesticides are a common environmental concern due to the potential long-term effects of the chemicals and their metabolites on the immediate environment and ecosystem. Research and address the insecticide Malathion and includes the following components:
Identify the metabolites of the active ingredient of this insecticide, and discuss the toxicity and lifespan of the metabolites. Explain the cornerstone processes associated with xenobiotic metabolism of the pesticide through the body.
Full Answer Section
Risk management is the process of implementing strategies to control or eliminate identified risks. It involves:
- Risk Control: Implementing measures to reduce the likelihood or severity of risks, such as engineering controls, administrative controls, or personal protective equipment.
- Risk Communication: Communicating information about risks to workers and other stakeholders.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuously monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of risk control measures and making adjustments as needed.
Risk assessment and risk management are interrelated activities. Risk assessment provides the information needed to identify and prioritize risks, while risk management involves implementing strategies to address those risks.
Question 4: Malathion
Metabolites: Malathion is metabolized in the body to several metabolites, including:
- Malathion carboxylic acid
- Carboxylesterase-metabolized products
- Deesterified metabolites
These metabolites can have varying levels of toxicity and lifespans. Some metabolites may be more toxic than the parent compound, while others may have a shorter lifespan.
Toxicity and Lifespan:
- Acute toxicity: Malathion is considered moderately toxic to humans. Acute exposure can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and muscle weakness.
- Chronic toxicity: Long-term exposure to malathion can have adverse effects on the nervous system, liver, and kidneys.
- Lifespan: The lifespan of malathion and its metabolites in the environment can vary depending on factors such as soil type, temperature, and microbial activity.
Xenobiotic Metabolism:
Malathion is metabolized primarily in the liver through a process known as xenobiotic metabolism. This process involves a series of enzymatic reactions that convert foreign substances, such as pesticides, into more water-soluble compounds that can be excreted from the body.
The major enzymes involved in the metabolism of malathion include:
- Carboxylesterases: These enzymes break down malathion into its less toxic metabolites.
- Cytochrome P450 enzymes: These enzymes can metabolize malathion into more polar compounds that are easier to excrete.
The rate of malathion metabolism can vary among individuals and may be influenced by factors such as age, genetics, and liver function.
Sample Answer
Response:
Question 3: Risk Assessment and Risk Management
Risk assessment is the process of identifying, evaluating, and quantifying risks to health and safety in the workplace. It involves:
- Hazard Identification: Identifying potential hazards that could cause harm to workers, such as hazardous chemicals, physical hazards, or ergonomic risks.
- Risk Evaluation: Assessing the likelihood and severity of each identified hazard.
- Risk Quantification: Estimating the potential consequences of each hazard, including the number of workers affected and the severity of injuries or illnesses.