The aim of this investigation was to determine the applicability and weaknesses of the regional distribution model SimpleBox and to make proposals for improvement. The validation was performed using a scheme of which the main aspects are the division into internal and external validation. With its default values, the regional distribution model represents a generic region, and it is connected with a model which estimates indirect emissions from sewage treatment plants. The examination was carried out using a set of sample substances, the characteristics of which cover a wide range of different physico-chemical properties, use patterns and emissions. These substances were employed in order to enable us to make common statements on the model´s applicability. Altogether, the model complies with its designated purpose to calculate regional background concentrations. A scrutiny of theory did not show serious errors or defects. Regarding sensitivity, it could be shown that the model contains only few parameters with a negligible influence on the results. The comparison with measured results showed a good agreement in many cases. The highest deviations occur if the preliminary estimations of emissions, degradation rates and partition coefficients deliver unrealistic values. Altering the regional default parameters has a lower influence on the modelled results than replacing unrealistic substance properties by better ones. Generally, the model employed is a reasonable compromise between complexity and simplification. For the sewage treatment model, it could be shown that its influence on the predicted concentration is very low and a much simpler model fulfils its purpose in a similar way. It is proposed to improve the model in several ways, e.g. by alternative estimations functions for partition coefficients. But the main focus for future improvements should be on the amelioration of release estimations and substance characteristics.

Construction is one of the oldest of industries in the world, with the first establishedconstruction company being established around 230 BC. One of the biggest industries inEurope, at an estimated €900 billion a year, it also accounts for 40% of total energy consumption and 40% of total waste generation in the EU1 . Although the majority ofthese are from the use phase of the built environment, there is a lack of a comprehensiveenvironmental risk management system for the construction phase. This study proposesan environmental risk management framework based on the Beer-Ziolkowski model of risk management for both site specific and non-site specific construction operations witha stakeholder centric approach. It proposes stakeholder involvement to identify the risksaided with trend analysis of strategic regulatory implications from the concernedauthority - Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and thecurrent orgnisational practice of objective environmental risk identification from ISO14001 guidance. Scope of site specific and non-site specific risks are narrowed down tosite operational setup and construction materials respectively, consistent with theorganisations view of the most important risks from those two classes of risks. Riskassessment is suggested through Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) method for site specific risksand European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES) for non-sitespecific risks. Total Cost Accounting (TCA) of project alternative evaluation isrecommended with a view to internalise the external costs. A two tiered integration ofrisk information in the buisess process is suggested – categorised risk reduction processat the level of projects and general good practice aided with risk information at the policylevel. Being a framework for management of environmental risk as opposed to a methodfor a specific environmental risk, the principles and suggestions are broadly scoped withcase studies for identification and analysis of risks.Through the practice of prudent engagement of stakeholders and scientific risk assessments, this framework would help the organisation enable safer operational practices in the context of environmental effects. In foresight this in turn will have rendered the host firm more competent in terms of making sustainable business decisions. / Byggindustrin är en av de äldsta industrierna i världen. Det första företaget etabeleradesca 230 BC. Byggindustrin är även en av de största industrierna i Europa med €900miljarder i omsättning varje år, men ansvarar även för ungefar 40% av energiförbrukningen och 40% utav den totalla avfallsgeneringen i EU1. Trots att det mesta av dessa miljöfarliga aspekter kommer ifrån användningsphasen av den byggdamiljön, finns det en brist på omfattande hanteringssystem för miljörisker vid uppbyggnadsphasen. Denna studie föreslår en hanteringsmodell, baserad på Beer-Ziolkowski-modellen för riskhantering, som innehåller både byggplats baserade och icke byggplatsbaserade risker med en centrerad orientering vid just aktieägare samt andraberörda.Denna modell föreslår, att alla som skulle bli berörda vid förändring, engagerar sig för att identifiera risker med assistering utav strategisk vägledning hos den lämpliga förvaltningen - Kommunal- og regionaldepartementet samt med det närvarande organisationspraxisesn av indentifiering av de objektiva miljöriskerna med råd ifrån ISO140001. Omfattningarna av byggplats-beroende och icke byggplatsberoende riskkategorier fokuseras på layouten av byggplats och byggmaterial, enligt företagetsåsikt vilken av dessa två riskgrupper som är viktigast. Riskshantering föreslås med fel träanlys (FTA) metoden till byggplats beroende risker och European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES) till icke byggplats beroende risker.Helkostnadsbokföring (TCA) för projektets olika alternativ rekommenderas som åtgärd för att inkludera de vanliga ytterliggande kostnaderna. En två spårig integration av risksbeskedet föreslås – katagoriserad riskminskning vid projektsnivå och vanliga goda affärsprincipier tillsammans med riskmedvetenhet på policy nivå.På grund av att modellen är en ram för riskhantering, som skilljer sig ifrån en metod fören särskild risk, granskas priciperna så som föreslaget med fallstudier för identifieringoch analys av risker.Genom att engagera aktieägare och andra intressenter men även natuvetenskaplig riskbedömning, ska denna modell hjälpa företaget till att möjligöra en säker bedrivningutav företagspraxisen i kombination med ett stärkt intresse utav miljöaspekter. I framtiden ska detta i sin tur ge företaget större kompetens när det gäller att planera och skapa en hållbar affärsplanering. / www.ima.kth.se

Environmental risk assessment of chemical substances in the European Union is based on a harmonised scheme. The required models and parameters are laid down in the Technical Guidance Document (TGD) and are implemented in the EUSES software. An evaluation study of the TGD exposure models was carried out. In particular, the models for estimating chemical intake by humans were investigated. The objective of this study was two-fold: firstly, to develop an evaluation methodology, since no appropriate approach is available in the scientific literature. Secondly, to elaborate applicability and limitations of the models and to provide proposals for their improvement. The principles of model evaluation in terms of quality assurance, model validation and software evaluation were elaborated and a suitable evaluation protocol for chemical risk assessment models was developed. Quality assurance of a model includes internal (e.g. an investigation of the underlying theory) and external (e.g. a comparison of the results with experimental data) validation, and addresses the evaluation of the respective software. It should focus not only on the predictive capability of a model, but also on the strength of the theoretical underpinnings, evidence supporting the model?s conceptualisation, the database and the software. The external validation was performed using a set of reference substances with different physico-chemical properties and use patterns. Additionally, sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were carried out, and alternative models were discussed. Recommendations for improvements and maintenance of the risk assessment methodology were presented. To perform the software evaluation quality criteria for risk assessment software were developed. From a theoretical point of view, it was shown that the models strongly depend on the lipophilicity of the substance, that the underlying assumptions drastically limit the applicability, and that realistic concentrations may seldom be expected. If the models are applied without adjustment, high uncertainties must inevitably be expected. However, many cases were found in which the models deliver highly valuable results. The overall system was classified as a good compromise between complexity and practicability. But several chemicals and classes of chemicals, respectively, with several restrictions were revealed: The investigated models used to assess indirect exposure to humans are in parts currently not applicable for dissociating compounds, very polar compounds, very lipophilic compounds, ions, some surfactants, and compounds in which metabolites provide the problems and mixtures. In a strict sense, the method is only applicable for persistent, non-dissociating chemicals of intermediate lipophilicity. Further limitations may exist. Regarding the software, it was found that EUSES basically fulfils the postulated criteria but is highly complex and non-transparent. To overcome the inadequacies a more modular design is proposed.