AIR-FORCE APPROACH TO RISK ASSESSMENT FOR HALON REPLACEMENTS

Finding safe, environmentally acceptable, and effective replacements f or Halon fire-extinguishing agents and other chemicals banned by the M ontreal Protocol is a formidable task for Air Force research and devel opment organizations. One factor that makes this task a challenge is t he uncertainty in relating toxicology studies in laboratory animals to the human situation. This uncertainty from toxicology studies affects the risk assessment process by calling for very conservative decision s. Because of this uncertainty, public pressure and politics also impa ct the regulatory process. The Air Force approach to assessing health hazards for Halon replacements is to provide scientific information th at directly applies to the parts of the extrapolation process that are responsible for the most uncertainty. Most regulatory agencies readil y incorporate scientific information, when it is available, which can reduce uncertainty. These Air Force studies will be used to provide re alistic exposure levels for replacement chemicals which will allow mis sion accomplishment and provide safety for the worker and the populace .