CARACAS - Concerted action on risk assessment for contaminated sites in the EU
CARACAS (Concerted Action on Risk Assessment for Contaminated Sites in the European Union) is a concerted action funded under the Community's specific RTD programme in the field of Environment and Climate. The project involves the Environment Ministries of the EU Member States, as well as scientific institutions from Member States and third countries. The objectives of the project, which will run from 1 February 1996 to 31 August 1998, are: - To identify, compile, assess and review all relevant RTD projects and scientific approaches for risk assessment developed in the EU; - To propose scientific priorities for future RTD programmes and projects in the European Commission and the Member States; - To elaborate guidelines and recommendations for assessing risks from contaminated sites. In its initial stages, CARACAS wants to contact all research organizations, within the EU, involved in projects relating to risk assessment of contaminated sites. The first edition of a newsletter designed to inform the scientific community of the aims and work of CARACAS has recently been published. This includes a questionnaire through which interested researchers can provide details of their own projects. A number of "Topic groups" have been established, to coordinate work in the following key areas: - TG 1: Human toxicology; - TG 2: Ecological risk assessment; - TG 3: Fate and transport of contaminants; - TG 4: Site investigation and analysis; - TG 5: Models; - TG 6: Screening/guideline values; - TG 7: Methods for risk assessment. The organizers of CARACAS are looking for the widest possible participation in the project.