How to make proposals for new CICADs
IPCS welcomes proposals for chemicals or exposures to be included in the programme. Please find below an explanation of the different IPCS risk assessment documents and the form which we wish you to use when making such proposals.
Introduction
IPCS produces two main types of risk assessment documents, de novo documents, and Concise International Chemical Assessment Documents (CICADs).
De novo documents are based on independent novel collection and assessment of data useful for the assessment of the risks the chemical may cause to human health or environment. They present the relevant information on the physicochemical characteristics of the chemical, sources of human and environmental exposure, environmental transport, distribution and transformation, environmental levels and human exposure, kinetics and metabolism in laboratory animals and humans, effects on laboratory animals, and in vitro test systems, effects on humans, and effects on other organisms in the laboratory and field, and conclude in an evaluation of human health hazards and the effects on the environment.
Concise International Chemical Assessment Documents (CICADs) were developed in order to accelerate risk assessment work in light of limitations in time and resources, and as a response of the IPCS to achieving the targets of Programme A Chapter 19 of UNCED, Agenda 21. CICADs are based on existing, high-quality national or regional assessments of the hazards and risks of a chemical to human health and environment. CICADs present the pivotal studies on key end points at a level of detail that allows the reader the evaluate the reliability of the study, but present only a very condensed description of studies that relate to endpoints that are not of primary concern, and also on studies that only repeat the findings of the key studies. thus CICADs are typically quite brief.
The decision on whether or not a chemical (or mixture of chemicals, or a physical or biological agent) should be assessed, the type of assessment document and the appropriate institution or individual/group of individuals to author the first draft of the document will be made by IPCS. The criteria for selection of chemicals will be guided by the advice of the WHO Risk Assessment Network.
The chemical may be a priority chemical for IPCS risk assessment, if:
- there is a probability of exposure;
- the chemical has toxic or ecotoxic properties, or may accumulate in the body or in the environment;
- there is significant international trade or the the substance is of transboundary concern;
- the chemical has a high production volume with dispersive use; the substance is of concern to a range of countries for possible risk management: developed, developing and those with economies in transition;
- preparation of a risk assessment document makes a positive contribution to the programme as part of Agenda 21, Chapter 19. This consideration includes avoidance of duplication of effort by different international organisations and avoidance of production of de novo documents on topics recently covered in an appropriate manner;
- a reputable institution is willing to provide the resources necessary for the production of the draft document in the appropriate format, and its finalisation in the programme;
- adequate resources are available within IPCS to complete the process.
Selection of candidate chemicals for the production of IPCS risk assessment documents is an iterative process, starting with the intention of national/regional institutions to provide resources for the preparation of a draft and its finalisation.
The contribution of institutions offering to prepare an International Chemical Assessment Document is gratefully acknowledged.
In order for a decision to be taken on the assessment of a chemical and the type of assessment to be followed, completion of a standard form (below) is requested. Contributors will be informed of the decision and, if relevant, the time frame to be followed.
It is important that all information relevant to the selection of a particular chemical are provided, in order to facilitate the decision process. Particularly, information should be provided as to the extent to which the proposed chemical meets the above-mentioned selection