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 relationship between Campylobacter contamination on poultry carcasses at the point of chilling and the subsequent incidence of foodborne illness among consumers.

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 determining the risk significance of non-compliant findings within the Canadian nuclear regulatory framework. Specifically, the…

Following the planned closure of the Blood Safety Contribution Program (BSCP), support was needed to help define the structure, elements, and functions of a renewed national recipient hemovigilance system for Canada. The work centred on preparing the transfusion medicine community, federal and provincial/territorial partners, blood operators, and patient representatives to develop recommendations for a future system that could maintain national coordination, support blood and patient safety, and preserve trust in Canada’s blood system.

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 intentional acts, such as food terrorism, but also a wider array of systemic risks—ranging from pandemics to geopolitical disruptions—that could compromise global food safety.

Under the supervision of Director Purcell and his cabinet, the six-month project began with an internal review of attitudes, projects, responsibilities and management reporting lines. The work uncovered multiple inconsistencies and inefficiencies. What's more, there were very real risk consequences at the operational level.

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 to the environmental burden of disease in Canada and exacerbate vulnerability to infectious disease outcomes, including COVID-19.

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 the oral contraceptive Alysena, issued due to packaging issues that altered the intended dosing sequence and raised questions about potential unintended health risks.

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 expertise to assess whether the report’s conclusions—particularly regarding health effects, exposure pathways, and risk characterizations—were sound, complete, and defensible.

Health Canada sought expert support in advancing its efforts to develop screening values for semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) commonly found in residential indoor environments. Previous work on indoor air contaminants had focused on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), where screening values were developed based on existing inhalation quantitative hazard assessments (QHAs). However, many SVOCs were identified as having insufficient data to establish such values, leaving critical gaps in risk evaluation.