What Are the Implications for Public Health and Safety?
Data fragmentation has direct implications for public health and safety:
- Delayed Regulatory Decisions: Fragmented data can slow the regulatory review process, delaying the approval of new chemicals or the implementation of safety measures. - Inaccurate Risk Assessments: Incomplete or inconsistent data can lead to inaccurate risk assessments, potentially compromising public health protections. - Challenges in Crisis Response: During chemical emergencies, fragmented data can hinder prompt and effective responses, exacerbating health risks to affected populations.