Case Studies
The case studies listed here are for demonstration purposes exclusively. They are neither intended as references nor as validation by RSI clients. These case studies are a sample of the work done by RSI or directly led by its staff prior to joining RSI. They are intended as an illustration of the type of work that current RSI staff are able to deliver.
To support the refinement and implementation of its ecological risk guidance, a federal department responsible for marine conservation engaged expert assistance in risk communication. The primary objective was to ensure that the national guidance for ecological risk assessment—developed as part...
The client sought to improve understanding of uncertainties surrounding the application of mixture assessment factors (MAFs) for aquatic receptors, specifically those estimated using the KEMI methodology. While the KEMI MAF approach is considered technically robust, its assumptions—particularly about chemical-specific controls,...
In support of ongoing efforts to modernize Canada's food inspection system, a request was issued for scientific and analytical expertise to enhance two critical risk-based decision tools: the Establishment-based Risk Assessment (ERA) and Importer Risk Assessment (IRA) models. These models...
The World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations asked RSI to develop a suite of online tools to support food regulators and the food industry in applying risk-based approaches to food safety. These organizations...
To support more effective health policy and pandemic preparedness, this project examined how environmental health factors intersect with chronic disease and influence pandemic resilience. The client sought evidence to clarify how exposures to contaminants in air, water, and soil contribute...
Establishing science-based drinking water guidelines for manganese requires integrating diverse regulatory approaches, emerging modeling tools, and evolving toxicological evidence. The client commissioned this project to systematically assess existing manganese drinking water guidelines and the scientific foundations upon which they are...
To support the Chemicals Management Plan under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), Health Canada sought expert peer consultation for a draft screening assessment report (DSAR) evaluating 47 inorganic substances identified as priorities. The client required independent scientific and technical...
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), through its Spectrum Management Innovation Directorate, sought support in applying risk-based decision making (RBDM) across its compliance and enforcement responsibilities. The department was looking for a structured and data-driven approach to prioritize regulatory...
To support more consistent and quantitative assessments of new micro-organisms under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Health Canada's New Substances Program (NSP) sought to refine the tools and processes within its Microbial Risk Assessment Framework (MRAF). The NSP had previously...
In the mid-1990s the International Organization for Migration (IOM) faced one of the most pivotal moments in its history. Though it counted 76 member states, it remained outside the United Nations system, and its work was increasingly perceived to overlap...
The client sought support to finalize a Commission Member Document (CMD) for the re‑licensing of a nuclear facility. Recognizing the complexity and sensitivity of reactor re‑licensing, they requested assistance in crafting communication materials that were both technically comprehensive and accessible...
A comprehensive systematic review was undertaken to assess experimental evidence regarding the potential health risks associated with artificial sweeteners, specifically focusing on cancer and pre-term delivery. The client sought a rigorous analysis of both in vivo and in vitro experimental...
To support its Standards to Support Resilient Infrastructure Program, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) launched a national consultation campaign to identify and prioritize climate-related standardization needs. SCC required a flexible risk prioritization framework to evaluate the relative urgency and...
Demonstrating the safe use of chemical mixtures remains a critical challenge in toxicological science. In recent years, studies have suggested that chemicals can exhibit dose additivity—causing a combined effect—even when each chemical individually is below its effect threshold. This project...
Health Canada sought to enhance its Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) tool, originally developed over 15 years ago for stakeholders responsible for drinking water systems. With advancements in probabilistic modeling and microbial risk assessment, the client required updates to reflect...
To advance the Government of Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP), a virtual expert workshop was planned and hosted to refine and evaluate a Canadian framework for the Environmental Public Health Approach (EPHA) to chemicals. The initiative focused on developing case...
To support decision-making around modifications to opioid agonist treatment delivery, a detailed risk assessment was requested to evaluate the integration of secure dispensing devices for direct patient access to hydromorphone. Building on a previously conducted preliminary assessment, the work required...
Government authorities faced recurring challenges in communicating health risks from smoke caused by both wildfires and residential burning. While these events were becoming more frequent and more severe, the public health messages often failed to resonate with affected communities or...
To enhance the oversight of cannabis production under its regulatory mandate, the Cannabis Directorate sought expert support in developing a risk-based decision-making framework tailored to its compliance and enforcement responsibilities. The directorate aimed to better assess and respond to non-conformance...
Health Canada requested an external review following significant public criticism of its handling of a pharmaceutical recall. The case involved a contraceptive drug that was withdrawn due to packaging errors, and the department faced questions about whether it had acted...
To support national public health goals, RSI was tasked with developing a quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) model to estimate the human health risks associated with the consumption of chicken in New Zealand. The core objective was to quantify the...
A federal agency required scientific support to enhance the effectiveness of its environmental enforcement activities. This involved identifying and analyzing the risk factors—both environmental and human health-related—that contribute to the likelihood and impact of regulatory offences. The objective was to...
The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) commissioned a systematic review and meta-analysis to support evidence-informed decision-making around age-related cognitive decline among practicing physicians. The initiative was led by CPSA’s Physician Health Monitoring Program (PHMP), which sought to...
Authorities in Vietnam sought targeted expertise to strengthen the country’s ability to detect, assess, and respond to food safety threats. This initiative had two linked objectives: building a comprehensive, transparent, and reliable national food safety information system, and enhancing risk...
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency sought RSI’s support in exploring how human health impacts from zoonotic diseases could be compared consistently with other public health risks. Traditionally, animal disease control decisions relied on veterinary and economic measures, but there was...
The project centered on supporting the development of a methodology that could eventually be implemented as an Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) process. The objective was to help formalize and potentially automate how professional judgment is applied when...
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) engaged Risk Sciences International to provide strategic advisory services aimed at enhancing its regulatory compliance model through risk-based methodologies. FCAC’s objective was to explore new approaches that would integrate digital tools and data-driven...
To support the quality and defensibility of regulatory decision-making under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), Health Canada engaged Risk Sciences International to coordinate an independent external peer review of the Draft Screening Assessment Report (DSAR) for Selected C3-C5...
In response to increasing public concern about the historical use of McIntyre Powder—an aluminum-based substance once administered to miners in Ontario to prevent silicosis—the client sought expert guidance on managing risk communication related to potential health implications. Widespread media coverage...
In response to public and ministerial concerns about the timeliness and adequacy of information shared during a major prescription drug recall, Health Canada commissioned an independent review to assess its response to the event. The situation involved a recall of...
