A Risk Sciences International Case Study

Communication material on lithium in drinking water and health risks

RSI - lithium

Client: AWWA

Listing of the client in no way affirms the client's support, sponsorship, or validation in any form of Risk Sciences International or the RSI staff member(s) who conducted this project during their stay with RSI or prior to joining the company. This case study is displayed for informative purposes only to demonstrate the capacity of RSI staff members. This case study reveals no proprietary information or information deemed sensitive.

Project description:

Communication material on lithium in drinking water and health risks

To support public communication around emerging drinking water concerns, RSI was engaged to develop accessible, scientifically grounded materials on lithium exposure and its potential health effects. The work focused on equipping stakeholders with clear, credible information that could inform both internal understanding and broader public messaging.

Deliverables included a structured review and synthesis of current scientific literature, a well-designed summary report tailored for clarity and relevance, and an optional slide presentation suitable for webinar use. Initial consultations helped refine the communication goals, ensuring alignment with both expert and lay audiences. The process emphasized responsiveness to feedback from target users and stakeholders, culminating in finalized materials that reflected scientific integrity and practical communication value.

Start: 2022

End: 2022

Experts related to this case study

Anne Wiles

Senior Analyst

Dr. Anne Wiles joined Risk Sciences International (RSI) in 2008, where she currently serves as a Senior Analyst specializing in risk communication, perception, and governance. With a distinctive blend of expertise in language, regulation, and the use of science in...
Read More about Anne Wiles

Franco Momoli

Vice-President Chemical and Product Safety

Dr. Franco Momoli joined Risk Sciences International (RSI) in 2019 and currently serves as Vice-President, Chemical and Product Safety. In this role, he leads a multidisciplinary team of epidemiologists, risk assessors, toxicologists, and biostatisticians in conducting human health risk assessments...
Read More about Franco Momoli

Cemil ‘Jim’ Alyanak

Vice-President Communications and Strategic Initiatives

Cemil ‘Jim’ Alyanak joined Risk Sciences International (RSI) in 2018 and serves as Vice-President, Communications and Strategic Initiatives. In this senior leadership role, he leads RSI’s risk communications practice, drives cross-cutting initiatives, advances strategic in-house projects, and expands the company’s...
Read More about Cemil ‘Jim’ Alyanak

More RSI Case Studies

RSI presents a very small selection of case studies to highlight some of its key work.

Risk-based decision making framework

The Alliance of Blood Operators (ABO) sought to move its members toward a consistent, transparent approach to risk-based decision-making. Having worked through the development of a framework, the organization now wanted formal adoption, external validation, and practical application to real-world...
Read More about Risk-based decision making framework

Environmental Health Factors, Chronic Diseases, and Pandemic Resilience

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...
Read More about Environmental Health Factors, Chronic Diseases, and Pandemic Resilience

Development of a National Food Safety Information System and Risk Assessment Capacity in Vietnam

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...
Read More about Development of a National Food Safety Information System and Risk Assessment Capacity in Vietnam

Evaluation of Toxicological Data on Experior

To support the evaluation of a new veterinary pharmaceutical product intended for use in bovines, a scientific review was requested of submitted toxicological data related to the active compound LY488756. This compound, proposed under the product name Experior, had been...
Read More about Evaluation of Toxicological Data on Experior

Evaluation of Drug Recall Communication and Risk Determination Processes

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...
Read More about Evaluation of Drug Recall Communication and Risk Determination Processes

Marine Planning and Conservation National Ecological Risk Guidance: Risk Communication Expertise

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...
Read More about Marine Planning and Conservation National Ecological Risk Guidance: Risk Communication Expertise

Technical Support for Risk-Based Decision Making (RBDM)

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...
Read More about Technical Support for Risk-Based Decision Making (RBDM)

Evaluation of Health Product Risk Communication Tools

To enhance the effectiveness of health product risk communications, a systematic evaluation was requested to assess the performance of key instruments used to disseminate safety and efficacy information. The aim was to support efforts under the Evaluating the Effectiveness of...
Read More about Evaluation of Health Product Risk Communication Tools

International newspaper rethink

The International Herald Tribune (IHT) sought guidance at a time of profound change in the media landscape. With the World Wide Web emerging and competition intensifying from global and regional editions of established outlets such as The Economist, The Wall...
Read More about International newspaper rethink

Risk-Based Decision-Making (RBDM) Support for Plasma Supply / Sufficiency

Facing renewed challenges in securing a reliable domestic plasma supply, Canadian Blood Services sought support to apply a Risk-Based Decision-Making (RBDM) framework. The objective was to assess the value and implications of expanding domestic plasma collection and processing capacity in...
Read More about Risk-Based Decision-Making (RBDM) Support for Plasma Supply / Sufficiency

Environmental Public Health Approach (EPHA) to Chemicals Expert Workshop

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...
Read More about Environmental Public Health Approach (EPHA) to Chemicals Expert Workshop

Assessing the Impact of Interstudy Variation in LOAELs on Findings of Low-Dose Additivity in In Vivo Studies of Mixtures

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...
Read More about Assessing the Impact of Interstudy Variation in LOAELs on Findings of Low-Dose Additivity in In Vivo Studies of Mixtures

Update of WHO Guidance on Food Defense

To support international efforts in mitigating deliberate threats to the food system, the World Health Organization commissioned an update to its earlier guidance titled Terrorist Threats to Food. The revision aimed to broaden the original scope by addressing not only...
Read More about Update of WHO Guidance on Food Defense

Drinking Water Guidelines for Manganese

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...
Read More about Drinking Water Guidelines for Manganese

Finalization of Risk Assessment on Secure Opioid Dispensing Devices

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...
Read More about Finalization of Risk Assessment on Secure Opioid Dispensing Devices

Contraceptive recall review

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...
Read More about Contraceptive recall review

Age-Related Cognitive Decline: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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...
Read More about Age-Related Cognitive Decline: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Food safety risk analysis tools

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...
Read More about Food safety risk analysis tools