[Risk assessment and risk management of chemical exposures in agriculture]

The most important risk in agriculture derives from exposure to pesticides. Pesticide risk assessment is conducted before (pre-market) and after (post-market) the introduction in use of the substance. Evaluation of the extensive toxicological studies required for all pesticides leads to the definition of the Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (AOEL) expressed as systemic dose (mg/kg). The AOEL is compared with exposures estimated by exposure models, that are currently being revised in the European Union. Only if estimated exposure is below the AOEL the product is authorised, sometimes with compulsory use of certain personal protective equipment. These are reported in the label. Post-marketing activities include health surveillance, biological monitoring, exposure monitoring, enforcement on the use of proper and properly maintained equipment, and use of proper personal protection devices.