Interdisciplinary approach to assessing the health risk of air toxic chemicals: An overview

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Toxicology and Industrial Health; (USA)

OSTI ID:5978957

Grose, E C; Selgrade, M J; Busnell, P J; Simmons, J E; Allen, J; McGee, J; Hauchman, F; Graham, J A ^[1]

---

1. Environmental Protection Agency, Health Effects Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA)

To assist the regulatory branch of the Environmental Protection Agency in addressing the risk assessment of air toxics, the Health Effects Research Laboratory initiated a comprehensive inhalation toxicology program to provide key health effects data missing from the current data base. A priority ranking of chemicals based on the potential for substantial human exposure and the need for health effects data was developed to identify candidate chemicals for toxicological research. The major goal of the program is to evaluate the concentration-response from acute, intermittent and subchronic inhalation exposures to developmental, genetic, hepatic, immunologic, neurologic, pulmonary and reproductive toxicity in a manner that provides data for the regulatory health assessment of air toxic chemicals. Extrapolation and dosimetry research is also conducted to improve the basis for human risk assessment. Determination of biological endpoints to be examined will be decided on a compound-by-compound basis, depending on the physical, chemical and structural characteristics of the chemical and evaluation of the existing health data base. Although the main emphasis is on inhalation as the primary route of exposure, some of the laboratories will compare inhalation to other routes, such as oral, to better understand the influence of route of exposure and hence the potential applicability of existing health data. Acute and intermittent exposures will be done for all compounds. Upon evaluation of the acute results, a decision will be made as to whether subchronic studies are needed. Endpoints that show unusual sensitivity may be investigated in greater detail. If adverse effects are observed at ambient levels, the time to recovery after exposure will be investigated. 36 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5978957
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Industrial Health; (USA), Journal Name: Toxicology and Industrial Health; (USA) Vol. 6:5; ISSN TIHEE; ISSN 0748-2337
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMALS
COOPERATION
DECISION MAKING
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INHALATION
INTAKE
INTERAGENCY COOPERATION
MAMMALS
MAN
ORAL ADMINISTRATION
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RISK ASSESSMENT
VERTEBRATES
XENOBIOTICS