The LaboRisCh algorithm, a tool for the assessing chemical risk for health: scientific uncertainty management

The LaboRisCh algorithm is a practical tool for the first-level assessment of the health risk from chemicals in research laboratories and similar workplaces. Through the assessment of the risk index related to each agent (R-a), the algorithm leads to the calculation of the value of a baseline risk index (R-b), and finally to a corrected risk index (R-c), The value of R-c sets the relevant condition in one of three health risk zones. The algorithm also includes carcinogens and mutagens, whose presence mandates the addition of the c/m subscript (R-c (c/m)). The addition is automatic for agents allocated the EU risk phrases R40, R45, R46, R49 and R68; whereas it is at the discretion of the evaluator for non "EU-classified", agents that belong to EU categories 1 or 2 and/or to IARC categories 1, 2A or 2B. Further research has led to integration of the algorithm. For instance, similarly to the provision for carcinogens and mutagens, the r subscript (R-cr) is now required for agents that are considered toxic to reproduction allocated or attributable to risk phrases R60, R61, R62 and R63. (Epidemiol Prev 2008; 32(6): 315-318)