Activities in WP4.2 will commence in month 24 (stage 2) and run until the end of the project in month 60. Its aim will be to implement the Integraged Assessment System (IAS) by developing the necessary interfaces and links between data and models based on the structure designed in WP4.1. Details of the design of the Integrated Assessment System will clearly be known at that stage. It is anticipated, however, that the system will comprise a core module providing the tools for integrated health risk assessment. These would include relevant dose response functions, algorithms for indicator construction (e.g. DALYs, monetary indicators), programs for exposure assessment and source apportionment, and visualisation tools (including mapping, graphics and report form tools). Core databases would also be incorporated - for example, on population, land cover and emissions at European level. As far as possible, other models and methods required for integrated risk assessment will be linked into the system either in a close-coupled all loose-coupled form. To enable this, suitable models and algorithms will first be identified and details gathered on their program structure and input data requirements. Tools for linkage will then be developed. In the same way, links will be developed to relevant external databases through purposely-designed data exchange modules. An extensive help facility, and interpretive support centre will also be incorporated to guide users in conducting integrated assessments and in interpreting the results.

Commencing at stage 3 (month 36) of the project, WP4.2 will focus on applying, testing and demonstrating the integrated assessment system through a series of case studies. These will be selected to represent high-level, crosscutting policy issues that bring together many of the methods, data sets and policy scenarios previously analysed in subproject three. Choice of these topics will be made in consultation with both users and lead as of the various policy analysis work packages. Indicative examples include:

• agriculture and climate – e.g. the assessment of agricultural policies in Europe under a changing climate;
• air quality in relation to policy and urbanisation;
• metals in the environment

Results from these case studies will help not only to validate the full integrated assessment system, but also provide important materials through which to illustrate and disseminate the achievements of INTARESE.