Chemical risk analysis competence in the Nordics is at stake

TL;DR

The paper highlights a shortage of trained professionals in chemical risk analysis in the Nordic countries and suggests a collaborative training initiative to address this issue.

Contribution

The study identifies competence gaps in chemical risk analysis and proposes a Nordic-wide training initiative to preserve expertise.

Findings

A survey in the Nordic countries revealed difficulties in finding competent personnel for risk analysis.

Responses indicated a need for training in new methodologies and technologies in toxicology.

A Nordic initiative is recommended to maintain expertise due to individual countries' lack of critical mass.

Abstract

Toxicology-related experts are on a daily basis working with the safety assessment of chemicals for human health and the environment, providing knowledge applied for management and regulation of chemicals. The field of toxicology is undergoing continuous transition away from traditional safety evaluation studies in experimental animals to application of new approach methodologies (NAMs), the use of omics-related technologies, and concepts like next-generation risk assessment. This requires expertise in the new technologies but does not dismiss the need of knowledge for interpretation of in vivo studies and full understanding of chemical exposure data. A survey was initiated in 2022 in the Nordic countries to assess current and future needs for competences in risk analysis. In total, 40 replies were received from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, while an expert assessment was performed in Iceland. The responses primarily (87.5%) came from national authorities, research institutes, industry/business, and consultants, less from the hospital system, NGOs, and others. The survey shows obvious difficulties in finding competent and trained personnel in all areas in risk analysis. Since the individual Nordic countries lack critical mass, a Nordic initiative for training and education is recommended to counteract loss of competences within chemical risk analysis in the future.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-025-36318-2.

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