Launch of the Advanced REACH Tool
The IOM is part of a European consortium, consisting of TNO (Netherlands), HSL (UK), IRAS (Netherlands), BAUA (Germany) and NCWR (Denmark), which is developing an exposure modelling tool to estimate occupational exposure to chemicals. The tool, which is know as the Advanced Reach Tool (ART), has been specifically designed for use in connection with the new European REACH regulations. It combines a generic mechanistic model for estimating inhalation exposure, with existing exposure data using a Bayesian methodology. It is the only model that is being developed for more complex exposure assessment required under REACH (i.e. Tier Two assessments).
The Beta version of ART was presented at a recent workshop in Brussels (co-organised by the British Occupational Hygiene Society and the Dutch Occupational Hygiene Society) see:http://www.bohs.org/eventDetails.aspx?event=164
for a Power Point presentation from this workshop. The Beta version of ART is freely available from http://www.advancedreachtool.com/ for testing. The first version of the ART model will be available from 31 January 2010.