Assessment the Quantum of Risk - Assignment Example

Assessment the Quantum of Risk Risk may be defined as an uncertainty and a measure of the consequence and probability that arise from not achieving a specific goal of a project. A probability measure is usually used to assess the quantum of risk. It is not easy to assess risk because the consequence of occurrence and possibility of occurrence are generally not directly measurable parameters. Instead, the level of risk has to be estimated using judgement through statistical or other processes. Conceptually, the risk associated with an event may be defined as a function of possibility and consequence. In other words, as the possibility or consequence increases, the risk related to the event increases. Therefore, it is mandatory to consider both probability and consequence during risk management. The risk management process has more accountability than the assigned objective to identify probable risk. The management of risk should comprise a formal planning and analysis, to estimate the possibility of risk and predict the consequences of the identified risk. A risk response strategy is essential for specific risk and it must have the capability to monitor and control the risk and manage it at the desired level(Kerzner 2009 p.743). Malathion is an insecticide used to control or kill bugs. It is commonly used for agricultural purposes and in gardens. Malathion is used to kill mosquitoes in outdoor areas under government programs. It is also found in some products used to kill head lice. Toxicity Malathion is poisonous if swallowed, handled without gloves or if the hands are not washed immediately after exposure. Malathion is absorbed into the skin in significant quantities if it is handled without precaution (Malathion poisoning 2009). Hazard identification  The toxicity of Malathion ranges from reproductive, carinogenicity, developmental toxicity, acute toxicity to neurotoxicity. According to WHO Acute Hazard, Malathion is III, slightly hazardous and the Acute rating from U.S.EPA product label has categorized the chemical as slightly toxic. Further, the U.S.NTP Acute toxicity studies rates the chemicals as not acutely toxic but moderately toxic. Malathion is a cholinesterase inhibitor. Malathion can cause cancer. Under the IARC carcinogens malathions is 3, unclassifiable and the U.S.EPA carcinogens categorizes the chemical as suggestive. Under the Keith and Colborn list Malathion causes endocrine disruption and under Illinois EPA list, Malathion is a suspected chemical that cause endocrine disruption. Malathion falls under PAN bad actors of chemicals of special concern. Malathion is highly soluble in water (Avg, mf/L) is 125.0.vThe adsorption coefficient of the chemical (Koc) is at 291 and HydrolysisHalf life is at 6.00 (Avg, Days). Acquatic Ecotoxicity Malathon is poisonous to several organisms in the ecosystems. It causes the death of certain organism while it affects the growth and reproduction of others. It also changes the biochemistry of the environment (PAN Pesticides Database – Chemicals 2009). Dose-response  Malathion is a common organophosphate insecticide which is also widely used to control mosquito. Mosquitoes are controlled when the chemical attacks the nervous systems leaving the mosquitoes helpless and finally causes the death. The chemical has similar potential or a worse effect on humans and animals if an impure type of the chemical is used or if the chemical is sprayed or fogged in huge doses. Research indicates that Malathion is not poisonous itself. But it can cause cellular mutation, specifically in white blood cells and cells of lymph system if it is absorbed into human or animal body. Individuals have different tolerance level for the chemical (Stacy 2009) Exposure  Malathion is a widely used organophosphate insecticide in the United States. Though research suggests that the chemical is clastogenic, the carcinogenicity of the chemicals is not demonstrated. However, malathion is related to non-Hodgkins lymphoma in epidemiologic research. A research on 19717 pesticide applicators working with Agricultural Health Study during the period 1993 and 1997 and based on the days per use of the chemical, intensity of exposure and details on lifetime years collected from participants and a follow up analyses over 7.5 years using poison regression revealed that the incidence of cancer was related to all types of cancers combined. The risk of non-Hodgkins lymphoma was not related to the use of malathion, though the number of cases were negligible and the risk of melanoma was 0.39 percent. It was noted that malathion exposure had no clear association for risk of cancer in any of the individuals examined (Bonner et al. 2007 pp.1023 - 1034. Risk characterization  The Environmental protection agency analysis since 2000 indicates that risk characterization of malathion remain unchanged though the characterization is refined from the potential risk of malaoxon which is a poisonous compound formed from malathion under specific conditions. Malaoxon forms in untreated water when malathion runs downs and reaches drinking water sources in low lying areas. Malaoxon also forms gradually on dry and hard surfaces and when exposed to air. The EPA indicates that though malathion is used for mosquito control the low application rates leads to minimal exposure of the chemical to people (Malathion for Mosquito Control 2008). Conclusion It may be concluded that malathion is toxic to human beings, animals and the ecosystem. Though there are claims that small quantities do not pose a threat, the accumulation of the chemical and the gradual development of the chemical into dreadful forms and the impure varieties of chemical can cause damage to people. Though the carcinogenicity is not proved, the chemical causes disorder to the nervous system, endocrine system and causes problems to the abdomen and skin. Further, it is soluble in water and the application of the chemical as a pesticide can enter the body of human beings through food. Therefore, the chemical may not be used for agricultural as well as in the control of mosquitoes. Reference Bonner, M.R., Coble, J., Blair, A., Freeman, L.E.B., Hoppin, J.A., Sandler, D.P. and Alavanja, M.C.R. 2007 Malathion Exposure and the Incidence of Cancer in the Agricultural Health Study American Journal of Epidemiology Vol.166 Iss.9 pp:1023-1034 Available: http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/9/1023 Kerzner, H. 2009 Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling ed.10 New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Malathion for Mosquito Control 2008 Available: http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/health/mosquitoes/malathion4mosquitoes.htm Malathion poisoning 2009 Available: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002834.htm PAN Pesticides Database – Chemicals 2009 Available: http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC32924 Stacy, H. 2009 The truth about Malathion Available: http://www.helium.com/items/1042852-the-truth-about-malathion. Accessed on August 24, 2008. Read More