[en] The article deals with a certain aspect of a sociological interpretation of the complex subject of risks to be accepted by a society, i.e. with the problem of the implications and impacts of acceptable risk definition becoming a topic of social conflict. The author assumes that the novel conflicts arising from effects of risks and costs of risks are beginning to superimpose upon the traditional conflict patterns of an industrial society. Characteristic features of conflicts about risks, resulting consequences, and three types of risk are discussed. (DG)

[en] There is an urgent need for sufficient knowledge to allow reliable assessment of the risks associated with engineered nanomaterials (ENPs). Significant advances in basic understanding of nano safety have been made, but there is still no clear systematic basis for risk-related research, and major uncertainties remain in the absence of uniform procedures. The following papers provide the guidance on how to proceed within the area of fate and hazard assessment, and how this links into grouping, testing and risk assessment of nanomaterials. This guidance is coupled with an industrial view on the most important research areas for nanomaterials. - There is an urgent need for sufficient knowledge to allow reliable assessment of the risks associated with nanomaterials (ENPs), the following papers provide the guidance on how to obtain this knowledge.

[en] A more streamlined approach is proposed for executing the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Process. This approach recognizes the uncertainties associated with the process, particularly regarding the derivation of human health risk estimates. The approach is tailored for early identification of sites and contaminants of immediate concern, early remediation of such sites, and early identification of low-risk sites that can be eliminated from further investigations. The purpose is to hasten the clean-up process and do so in a cost-effective manner

[en] The risks related to the implementation of ALFRED demonstrator in Romania are discussed. The assessment is based on the risk matrix approach. Two groups of experts were used in the investigation: participants in FP7 ARCADIA projects and members of the FALCON consortium. The results consist of the hierarchy of the risks obtained based on the appreciations of the two groups. They are comparatively presented and discussed in terms of the identified critical risks and possible measures for prevention and mitigation. Additionally, some elements derived from the experience of similar project such as SUSEN and ELI-NP are discussed. (authors)

No abstract available

[en] 'Methodical precondition' is understood as sophisticated engineering science. From a multitude of aspects, safety strategies and safety tactics have been chosen. Fundamental concepts for the characterization and quantification of risks are shown. This includes the comparative evaluation of risks differing in type and scope for the various spheres of life. (DG)

[en] Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have gained huge commercial interest because of their unique and size-related physicochemical properties. The diversity and complexity of ENPs is increasing with the introduction of next generation nanoparticles. The current approaches are not able to assess the safety of all types and applications of ENPs. Therefore, we are developing a decision support system (DSS) that helps to identify those ENPs and applications that should get priority in the risk assessment. This DSS smartly uses existing knowledge in publicly available databases. With the aid of vocabularies, knowledge rules and logic reasoning new knowledge will be derived. In this paper, the procedure for a DSS is described. Since this system is open by design, others can re-use and extend the DSS content, and newly developed DSS tools can be easily accommodated, which will make the DSS more effective over the years. Data of newly emerging studies will be used for the validation of the DSS. The results will benefit regulating authorities and scientists focussing on the development of inherently safe ENPs

[en] Smoldering multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous clinical entity where a subset of patients has an indolent course of disease that mimics monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, whereas others have a more aggressive course that has been described as „early myeloma“. There are currently no molecular factors to differentiate risks of progression for these patients. Current recommendations of therapy continue to be patient observation or patient enrolment in clinical trials. However, new definitions of active multiple myeloma recently agreed upon by the international Myeloma Working Group may alter the timing of therapy. On the basis of emerging data of therapy in these patients, it seems reasonable to believe that future recommendations for therapy of patients with smoldering myeloma will become an increasingly important topic. In this article, we review the current knowledge of this disease and risk factors associated with progression. We also review clinical trials that have been performed in these patients and provide recommendations for follow-up of patients with this unique disease entity. (author)

[en] The reserve session was devoted to some issues that came up through the workshop, which were grouped into three main areas: The Global Accelerator Network, Problems of stress and how to get organized to minimize them, What should an operations group be responsible for? This paper summarizes the discussions that took place. (author)

[en] Models such as MGL and MFR for common cause failures are developed. The significance of partial correlations in the context of these models is investigated. (DG)