SOCIAL INTERESTS, CONTEXTUALIZATIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES IN RISK ASSESSMENT - THE CASE OF METHANOL AS A FUEL COMPONENT IN BRAZIL

This paper presents a case study of the laboratory risk assessment of a proposal for the use, in vehicles in Brazil, for a six-month 'emerge ncy' period, oi: a new type of fuel involving a mixture of methanol, e thanol and gasoline. It uses an integrated approach to examine the dev elopment of this risk-assessment process in its social, environmental and techno-scientific contexts. The process is shown to involve a dyna mic interweaving of certain structured interests mixing both scientifi c and societal considerations, inside and outside the laboratory. This approach reveals the limits and uncertainties in the assessment of ri sks to the environment and to health, not only because of technical ga ps, but also as a result of the contextual dynamics, and of social int erests. The study suggests that a wider and more realistic understandi ng of the risk-assessment process could enhance opportunities for enla rging social participation in the definition of risks, and in the demo cratization of decision-making processes.