The societal risk aspects of chemical safety have become a focal point of concern for the public, governments, and the chemical industry. This concern stems from the increasing awareness of the vast number of chemicals present in everyday life, such as in household products, foods, and workplaces. Some of these chemicals have been linked to…

Lithium has become a strategic material in the global transition to renewable energy, powering batteries for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and grid storage systems. Demand is growing exponentially, raising both opportunities and risks. While lithium plays a central role in decarbonization, its extraction, processing, and disposal raise concerns about environmental impacts, worker safety, and geopolitical…

Contamination of water sources — whether from industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, mining, or natural events — poses significant risks to human health, ecosystems, and economic activity. Pollutants such as heavy metals, pathogens, nitrates, pesticides, and emerging contaminants like PFAS can persist in water systems, creating both acute and chronic health threats. Incidents of contamination often…

Legal metrology — the regulation of measurement in trade, safety, and compliance — underpins trust in markets and everyday transactions. From weighing goods in grocery stores to calibrating medical devices, fuel pumps, and utility meters, accurate measurement ensures fairness, safety, and accountability. Failures in measurement systems can erode consumer confidence, distort markets, and introduce risks…

Blood and blood products are essential to modern healthcare, supporting surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment, and the management of chronic diseases. Ensuring the safety and adequacy of the blood supply is therefore a critical public health priority. Risks arise from infectious disease transmission, donor eligibility challenges, storage and handling practices, and supply chain vulnerabilities. The…

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the most harmful air pollutants, linked to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality. Arising from vehicle emissions, industrial processes, biomass burning, and natural events such as wildfires, PM2.5 penetrates deep into the lungs and bloodstream, posing serious risks even at low concentrations. Managing PM2.5 is particularly challenging…

The media plays a pivotal role in shaping public understanding of risks, influencing how individuals perceive, prioritize, and respond to threats. Whether covering public health crises, environmental hazards, or technological innovations, media narratives can amplify accurate information — or spread misinformation that erodes trust and undermines protective action. The challenges of media and risk are…

Country foods — the traditional foods harvested, hunted, or fished by Indigenous and rural communities — are central to cultural identity, nutrition, and food security. They provide essential nutrients, support community resilience, and reinforce connections to land and heritage. However, these foods can also present risks due to environmental contamination, overharvesting pressures, or changing ecosystems…

Nuclear energy is one of the most powerful and controversial sources of electricity in the modern world. It offers a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels, supporting climate change mitigation, but also raises enduring concerns about reactor safety, radioactive waste, proliferation risks, and public trust. High-profile accidents, such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, have shaped global perceptions,…

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or “mad cow disease,” remains one of the most notable examples of how animal health risks can escalate into public health and economic crises. Linked to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, BSE outbreaks in the late 20th century caused widespread alarm, disrupted international trade, and reshaped food safety regulation globally. The…