Euratom-funded project puts risk into perspective
The TRUSTNET project, funded by the European Commission's Euratom programme for nuclear science and technology, has published a final report of its work on 'a new perspective on risk governance'. In the report, the TRUSTNET researchers outline the different types of difficulties encountered by the regulation of hazardous materials, which they identified from 11 cases studies of hazards including nuclear activities, genetically modified organisms, electromagnetic fields, pharmaceuticals, flooding and persistent organic pesticides. 'A major outcome of TRUSTNET '97-'99 activities is to outline that many difficulties encountered in risk assessment and management originate upstream in the global risk governance system,' reports the group. As a result of these investigations, it has now developed an interdisciplinary model describing the approaches available to the governance of hazardous activities in both a 'top-down paradigm' and a 'mutual trust paradigm'. The report aims to stimulate debate, promote a common understanding of the issues and reveal what is at stake if these issues are not properly addressed,. says the Commission. 'If it succeeds in stimulating more focused and productive debate among the interested parties, the report will have largely achieved its objectives.'