Over the past few years, after accidents with major environmental consequences, many people have asked themselves whether their facilities are safe and free from serious consequences in adverse situations. These questions are legitimate and need to be investigated as far in advance as possible, thus preventing scenarios from being mapped and potential risks from being identified, so that preventive measures can be adopted. In addition to the correct temporal positioning, it is necessary to understand the complexity of the scenarios presented in many circumstances. To help understand this topic, some typical questions and their respective answers are presented.  

What are environmental risks and what are they? 
Environmental risks are potential situations that can occur in scenarios of critical or accidental events with consequences for the natural ecosystems directly surrounding the enterprise. Environmental risks can be classified as scenarios involving leaks, spills, product overflows, dam ruptures and several other scenarios that can potentially generate undesirable consequences for surface or groundwater, soil, fauna and flora.

What is risk analysis applied to environmental issues? 
Risk analysis is performed whenever there is a potential danger associated with explosive materials, flammable products, radioactive materials and toxic products. Applying the concepts of risk analysis to the environment means evaluating which potential accidental scenarios can generate consequences for ecosystems and the environmental quality of the surrounding facilities, initially through a more in-depth identification of the environmental quality of the areas and ending with a mapping of the potential consequences, also considering other products far beyond those traditionally used by traditional risk analysis.

How to identify environmental risks? 
Environmental risks are scenarios of events or accidents that may occur due to an operational activity in a given location. To identify environmental risks, it is necessary to know very well and in advance both the operational process conditions and the local environmental quality, and in some cases the regional quality. This work aims to identify exactly which chemical elements and compounds present in the operational process require protective and preventive actions, as well as the local environmental characteristics that may limit or expand the consequences in the event of an undesirable event.

How to prevent environmental risks?
Prevention is always the best option. Avoiding the consequences of an accident or the chances of an undesirable event occurring is certainly the best way to act. The costs of prevention are, in most cases, between 100 and 1,000 times lower than the costs generated by the consequences of these events, not to mention the losses involving human lives, the ecosystem and the regional socio-environmental quality. Prevention must be defined in each case according to the existing risks. Typical examples can range from simple small adjustments to a wastewater treatment plant or the expansion of containment dikes, to more complex and larger systems such as the installation of emergency basins, projects for the reuse of treated water in industries, pollution control systems in chimneys, among others.

How do environmental risks affect occupational safety?
Environmental risks can directly impact occupational safety, especially in industrial, construction and mining operations. Hazardous chemicals, soil and water contamination and the inappropriate use of natural resources can create unsafe conditions for workers. By identifying and mitigating these risks, companies can ensure safer work environments that comply with regulatory standards, in addition to avoiding financial losses resulting from accidents. EBP Brasil helps companies manage these risks, integrating environmental and safety solutions to protect both ecosystems and employees.

How are environmental risks classified?
Environmental risks are classified into different categories, such as:

• Chemical, associated with toxic substances that can contaminate soil or water;
• Physical, such as erosion or deforestation that affect the integrity of the ecosystem;
• Biological, which involve impacts on species and habitats. EBP Brasil uses advanced technology and a multidisciplinary approach to identify and classify these risks, offering customized solutions, from management