Exposure assessment aims at drawing conclusions about the probability of specified adverse effects, based on analysis of the probabilities of all factors that influence this adverse effect.
Exposure assessment is carried out in parallel with the hazard identification and characterisation by analysing the scenario(s) quantitatively.
One can express the probability on a population basis or on individual basis; the concept is the same, but viewed from different perspectives. In addition, it is important to define the time frame for the probability; for example, the probability of occurrence during the lifetime of the product.
Apart from the probability of a specific scenario it may be relevant to take into account the probability that a person comes into contact with a product, which depends on distribution amount, frequency of use etc.
Combined with the severity from the hazard characterisation, it leads to a conclusion about the risk in the “Risk characterisation” phase.
