Human health hazards associated with chemical contamination of aquatic environment

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8034145· OSTI ID:5725451

Stara, J F; Kello, D; Durkin, P

In developing water quality criteria based on human health effects, information on sources of exposure, pharmacokinetics, and adverse effects must be carefully evaluated. Information on sources of exposure is needed to determine the contribution of exposure from water relative to all other sources. Pharmacokinetic data are used in inter- and intraspecies extrapolation and in characterizing the mode of toxic action. Information on toxic effects includes data on acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, and carcinogenicity. In analyzing such information, a distinction is made between threshold and nonthreshold effects. Currently, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity are considered to be nonthreshold effects. For carcinogens and mutagens, criteria are calculated by postulating an acceptable increased level of risk and using extrapolation models to estimate the dose which would result in this increased level of risk. For other chemicals, thresholds are assumed and criteria are calculated by deriving acceptable daily intakes for man which would presumably result in no observable adverse effects. Neither process is exact, and attempts must be made to improve and verify risk assessment methodologies.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH
• OSTI ID: 5725451
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 34; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CARCINOGENESIS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ECOSYSTEMS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MUTAGENESIS
PATHOGENESIS
POLLUTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
TOXICITY
WATER POLLUTION