Industrial development is essential to improvement of the standard of
living in all coun- tries. In a given region, old and new plants,
processes, and technologies have to coexist Technological penetration
and substitution processes are generally taking place; they are entirely
dynamic and this trend is going to stay like this. People's health and
the environment can be affected, directly or indirectly, by rou- tine
waste discharges or by accidents. A series of recent major industrial
accidents and the effect of poUution highlighted, once again, the need
for better management of rou- tine and accidental risks. Moreover, the
existence of natural hazards complicate even more the situation in any
given region. Managing the hazards of modern technological systems has
become a key activity in highly industrialized countries. Decision
makers are often confronted with complex issues concerning economic and
social development, industrialization and associated infrastructure
needs, population and land use planning. Such issues have to be ad-
dressed in such a way that ensures that public health wiD not be
disrupted or substan- tially degraded.