Suspected pesticide poisoning: A back-of-the-envelope health risk assessment

Abstract

Not all health risk assessment is of a formal and extensive nature. At times a ‘back-of-the-envelope’, or quick screening assessment, based on few or limited data may be appropriate. It may consist solely of discussion with a member of the public over the phone concerning a soil, water, food or air sample and its comparison with some national or internationally accepted standard or guideline; or it may deserve slightly deeper consideration.