Impact Study: Health Risk Assessment

Article 19 of the Act of loi n° 96-1236 du 30 décembre 1996 on Air Quality and the Rational Use of Energy, since repealed and codified in the Code of the Environment and Sustainable Development ( Code de l’environnement ) (Article L. 220-1 et seq.), introduced the requirement to assess, as part of the environmental impact study, the effects of a project on human health and the measures envisaged to eliminate, reduce, and, if possible, offset their harmful consequences. This study—known as a health risk assessment (HRA) or health component—enables an analysis of the potential effects of emissions, discharges, and nuisances resulting from operations on public health and hygiene.

• How should this assessment be conducted?

• How far should it go?

The objective of this study is to:

• identify any potential hazards associated with the products used and the facilities;

• define, where possible, a dose-response relationship;

• assess population exposure;

• characterize the risks.