Schadelijkheid

Schadelijkheid is a term used in risk assessment and toxicology to describe the inherent potential of a substance, activity, or condition to cause harm to human health or the environment. It refers to what could happen under some circumstances, independent of how likely or how often those circumstances occur. In risk assessment, schadelijkheid is distinguished from risico, which also depends on exposure, duration, concentration, and frequency.

Different domains judge schadelijkheid by different properties: chemical toxicity, flammability, reactivity, corrosivity, and ecotoxicity are typical dimensions in chemical safety; chronic effects such as carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity are also considered. In environmental contexts, schadelijkheid includes adverse effects on ecosystems and organisms, including long-term persistence and bioaccumulation.

Assessment uses hazard data that may come from tests, prior studies, or in silico models. In the European Union, hazard classifications under the CLP Regulation and broader due diligence under REACH translate schadelijkheid into categories and hazard statements. Additional concepts such as PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic) and vPvB criteria help prioritize substances with serious hazards.

Practical implications include labeling, safety data sheets, and the implementation of risk controls. If a substance is deemed highly schadelijk, substitutions to less hazardous alternatives, engineering controls, or stricter handling procedures are typically pursued to reduce actual risk.

See also: hazard, toxicity, risk assessment, CLP Regulation, REACH, exposure.