Multistage carbon dioxide gas stunning of broilers.

The stunning quality of animals for slaughter remains under constant scrutiny. In response to previous research showing low stunning efficiency in poultry, the conventional water bath will be phased out in the Netherlands. Presently, the main practical alternative to water bath stunning of poultry is a 2-phased gas stunning method.

Fate and exposure models in relation to risk assessment : Developments and validation criteria.

The recognition of potential long-term effects of substances, has led to the development of regulations and legislation which emphasis the need for assessing the risks posed by both new and existing substances for man and the environment. The evaluation of fate and exposure models is put into perspective in relation to the developments over the last five years in the framework of the EU regulations and national legislation within the European Community. The validation of environmental exposure models (multi-media models) is described in the context of quality assurance of models available to a user group, which is different from the quality assurance aspects for a developers group.

Hazard assessment of chemical contaminants in soil.

Disposal practices, accidental spills, leakages and local aerial deposition occurring in the past have led to local soil pollution in many cases. Especially in situations where people live on or nearby such locations this has created concern about possible adverse effects on human health. A stepped approach to the hazard assessment of polluted soil, as developed by a Task Force from the European Chemical Industry Ecology and Toxicology Centre (ECETOC), is described.