ImproRisk model, an open access risk assessment tool

Abstract

Abstract ImproRisk is an open‐access Risk Assessment model, developed in Cyprus, which contributes to the harmonization, standardization and transparency of the Dietary Exposure Assessment methodologies across Europe. It is a simple and transparent tool, built in R, for conducting accurate dietary exposure assessments to chemical substances. Aiming to be established as a standardized Risk Assessment tool at European level, the model has been designed to accept occurrence and consumption data, coded according to the EFSA's food classification and description system version 2 (FoodEx2). ImproRisk users are able to estimate dietary exposure to a chemical substance under study at any level of the EFSA's FoodEx2, considering the FoodEx2 base term and the Process facet (F28). Dietary exposure is estimated at individual level for different population groups and exposure estimates are stratified by different demographic characteristics. ImproRisk is considered as a useful tool both for risk assessors and risk managers, as it facilitates decision making, by providing information regarding the percentage of the population exceeding the relevant health‐based guidance value or reference points for a specific chemical substance.