Protecting environmental quality and human health: strategies for harmonisation

In September 1999 the MRC Institute for Environment and Health hosted a mul tidisciplinary seminar on the harmonisation of strategies to protect enviro nmental quality and human health. The objectives of the meeting were to sha re information about ways in which the protection of the environment and hu man health can be harmonised, and, by bringing together an audience represe nting a range of disciplines, interests and sectors, to explore how these m ay be integrated to inform policy, decision-making and the management of ri sks. Key conclusions from the seminar focused on the importance of sustaina ble development, harmonising risk assessment and the role of stakeholder in volvement. The necessary move from an expert-based to a dialogue-based proc ess will require concerted efforts on the part of scientists, policy-makers , regulators, industry and the public. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.