Environmental risk analysis for accidental releases in the process industry

VTT has developed a versatile risk analysis procedure for the identification of potential accidental releases of hazardous substances. By using this method, releases to water-courses, the soil, and also to the air, can be identified. This paper will describe how hazard identification with the functional model works, and what the experiences have been from using the method. In Finland during the 90's, the procedure has been applied in several industry sectors, for example, the pulp and paper, fine chemicals, and steel industries (1). In most cases, the method has been considered sufficient to fulfil legislative targets.