Title: Using PRTR database for the assessment of surface water risk and improvement of monitoring in Japan

Authors: Jens Hartmann, Norio Okada, Jason Levy

Addresses: Institute for Applied Geosciences, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstrasse 9, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany. ' Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan. ' Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan

Abstract: In April 2003, the first PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) was published in Japan. It is shown how the PRTR can be used to improve environmental risk assessment with the objective of reducing risk to ecosystem integrity and human health. By examining the superposition of all chemical releases into rivers, high levels of several contaminants are uncovered. Most of these chemicals have not been previously monitored. The outcome of the analysis helps to re-design existing environmental monitoring programmes and to identify these programmes.

Keywords: Japan; PRTR; Pollutant Release and Transfer Register; water contamination; environmental risk assessment; inundation; chemical hazards; water pollution; environmental monitoring; surface water; environmental pollution; hazardous substances.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCIS.2005.006117

International Journal of Critical Infrastructures, 2005 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.155 - 169

Published online: 06 Feb 2005 *

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