CRM has to make two “new starts”. The first one is to start a new project succeeding the accomplishments of NEDO #1 Project, in which CRM is expected to make further leap forward. The second one is to start a new organization in April 2008. 

CRM is still vigorously working on the existing projects to complete them, and at the same time is required to be prepared for the next leap forward. CRM has to play both roles of the starter and the closer. The mission of the closer is to win victory. 

With Pride in the Accomplishments

Public expectations for risk assessment have drastically changed in Japan. When CRM started its research efforts in risk assessment in 2001, the general reactions we got were: “What is risk assessment?” or “Risk assessment is not applicable in Japan.” Recently, we are getting increasing requests and demands on risk assessment which include: “It takes too long to complete risk assessments to be applicable in decision-making”; “Why is it not possible to estimate exposures in different scenarios?”; and “How long do you continue to do risk assessments of single chemicals? When will you be able to start risk assessment of multiple chemicals?” This is the sign that the importance of risk assessment has been recognized by many people in Japan. Also, people have confidence in the risk assessments developed and published by CRM. Further, people need more results of risk assessments for their decision-making. The risk assessments CRM can provide is only for 30 chemicals. Although it is not possible for CRM to fulfill all these increasing demands, it is possible to provide the leadership in this new environment with risk assessment in Japan. It is a big challenge which requires new approaches. With the pride in what has been accomplished so far, CRM is to start its new endeavor.

Risk Assessment as One of Specifications for New Technologies

Our basic principle is that risk assessment should be one of the specifications for the function of any new material or new technology. Currently, CRM is engaged in the risk assessments of manufactured nanomaterials, Ethyl-tertiary Butyl Ether (ETBE), a bio-fuel for automobiles, and solar batteries. Globally as well as within Japan, only few research institutes have promoted such principle as ours. AIST, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology encompasses the divisions for development of production technologies. Also, being a research institution under the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), AIST has a good access to the information on industrial technologies as well as opportunities for application of risk assessments. It is optimal for AIST to perform risk assessments of new technologies to achieve great accomplishments.

There has been a strong belief that environmental problems should be handled by institutions not directly linked to industries. This is partly true to ensure objectivity and neutrality of environmental risk assessment and management. Environmental and risk management measures, however, should be the integral part of industrial technology, and it is also true that only those who are part of industries can take measures of risk management.

AIST is the best research institute to develop risk assessment of new technologies. With its advantageous position in new technology development and experiences in risk assessments, AIST is expected to provide outcomes in risk assessment of new technologies.

Further Efforts in Dissemination and Communication of CRM’s Achievement
- Bifocal ADMER -

Commercial publication of CRM risk assessment series had a great impact in dissemination and communication of our achievements. The sales of the CRM risk assessment series, however, are yet not big enough. Further efforts are required. With the support of AIST headquarters, CRM is to publish the English versions of risk assessment series to disseminate its accomplishments globally.

CRM has released a number of software models for exposure and risk estimation. In early January, ADMER Version 2.0 was released which enables exposure estimations in 100 x 100 m mesh with sub-grids created within the conventional version of ADMER. With ADMER Version 2.0, it is possible to obtain exposure estimations with higher precisions in all local governments including rural or small cities. Our account of ADMER Version 2.0 is “ADMER with magnifying glass”. It is not necessarily true that detailed risk assessment is required in all cases. In most cases, conventional estimations by 5 x 5 km mesh satisfy the needs. In some cases, however, estimations by smaller mesh are required, where the sub-grid analyses of ADMER Version 2.0 can be applicable. In other words, ADMER Version 2.0 can provide a magnifying glass when necessary. ADMER is bifocal now. CRM has been developing and will continue to develop software models to meet the needs of users. 

Expectation for Distinguished Achievements in CRM’s Vertical Research Activities

CRM has accomplished much in its horizontal research activities (risk assessment series, software models). Still more and distinguished outcomes are expected in our vertical research activities. The next generation ADMER is one of them. Others include outcomes of the ongoing researches on in-door pollution, risk indices, and ecological risk assessment.