Application for the Reassessment of a Hazardous Substance under ...

public environments and use for biosecurity purposes. For each sector use ofdichlorvos, ERMA New Zealand considered the following Outcome Scenarios:(a) The baseline scenario: continued use with the current controls;(b) Continued use with revised controls;(c) Prohibition of use.2.2.4 The assessment of effects is based on the difference between Outcome Scenario (b)and the baseline, and Outcome Scenario (c) and the baseline. The assessmentassumes that the existing controls will be complied with and thus the relevant risksare those that remain after the controls are taken into account.2.2.5 The first step in the reassessment is to determine whether or not there are anypotentially significant adverse effects. If the adverse effects are negligible, thenfurther analysis is not required (i.e. Outcome Scenario (a)). However, if there arepotentially significant adverse effects then additional controls may be applied toameliorate these adverse effects. The application of additional controls andrestrictions on the current use of dichlorvos is treated as a modification of thebaseline scenario (i.e. Outcome Scenario (b)). If no practical controls or restrictionscan adequately ameliorate these adverse effects, then that use may be prohibited (i.e.Outcome Scenario (c)).2.3 Identification and assessment process2.3.1 ERMA New Zealand identified the risks and benefits associated with the substanceand then undertook a scoping exercise to determine which of them are potentiallysignificant. Risks and benefits are identified in terms of the scenarios and thisrequires identifying the sources of effect (for example, the hazards and benefits), thepathways for exposure, the areas of impact, and the likelihood and magnitude ofeffect. In accordance with clauses 9 and 10 of the Methodology, and sections 5 and6 of the Act, the risks and benefits are characterised in relation to the following areasof impact: the environment, human health and safety, relationship of Māori to theenvironment, the market economy, and society and the community.2.3.2 The second step is to assess the risks and benefits that have been identified as beingpotentially significant. Those risks and benefits that are deemed to be not potentiallysignificant are described, but are not assessed in detail. Assessing risks and benefitsinvolves combining the magnitude (size or value) of an effect and the likelihood of itoccurring. Where there is uncertainty about the magnitude of the effect a range ofmagnitudes may be assessed.2.3.3 The estimation of magnitude and likelihood is conducted on a qualitative basisinformed where possible by quantitative estimates and analysis.2.3.4 The approach adopted in identifying and assessing risks and benefits (adverse andpositive effects) is as described in the ERMA New Zealand technical guides:Assessment of Effects of Hazardous Substances and New Organisms onHuman Health (ERMA New Zealand 2000);Decision Making: A Technical Guide to Identifying, Assessing and EvaluatingRisks, Costs and Benefits (ERMA New Zealand 2009); andAssessment of Economic Risks, Costs and Benefits: consideration of impactson the market economy (ERMA New Zealand 2005).Dichlorvos reassessment – application Page 19 of 436