Behavioral aspects of chemical use: balancing an intrinsic conflict

In most cases, the use of chemicals is associated with both risks and benefits for humans and the environment. Conventional approaches to chemicals fail to address contemporary issues associated with use of chemicals. In this review, three major problems with conventional approaches, and emerging new concepts, are discussed. First, the issue of multiple chemical exposure and multiple outcomes will be discussed, and new frameworks such as Adverse Outcome Pathways are identified. Second, the need for linking 'local' risk with 'global' risk as identified in the Planetary Boundaries concept is discussed. Approaches like chemical footprint can address this issue. Finally, the issue of risk/benefit balancing associated with use of chemicals is discussed. Problems with regard to grasping the benefits are analyzed, and the importance of subjective components in risk/benefit balancing is emphasized for future research.