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Aurisano N, Fantke P, Chiu WA, Judson R, Jang S, Unnikrishnan A, Jolliet O. Probabilistic Reference and 10% Effect Concentrations for Characterizing Inhalation Non-cancer and Developmental/Reproductive Effects for 2,160 Substances. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:8278-8288. [PMID: 38697947 PMCID: PMC11097392 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Chemicals assessment and management frameworks rely on regulatory toxicity values, which are based on points of departure (POD) identified following rigorous dose-response assessments. Yet, regulatory PODs and toxicity values for inhalation exposure (i.e., reference concentrations [RfCs]) are available for only ∼200 chemicals. To address this gap, we applied a workflow to determine surrogate inhalation route PODs and corresponding toxicity values, where regulatory assessments are lacking. We curated and selected inhalation in vivo data from the U.S. EPA's ToxValDB and adjusted reported effect values to chronic human equivalent benchmark concentrations (BMCh) following the WHO/IPCS framework. Using ToxValDB chemicals with existing PODs associated with regulatory toxicity values, we found that the 25th %-ile of a chemical's BMCh distribution (POD p 25 BMC h ) could serve as a suitable surrogate for regulatory PODs (Q2 ≥ 0.76, RSE ≤ 0.82 log10 units). We applied this approach to derive POD p 25 BMC h for 2,095 substances with general non-cancer toxicity effects and 638 substances with reproductive/developmental toxicity effects, yielding a total coverage of 2,160 substances. From these POD p 25 BMC h , we derived probabilistic RfCs and human population effect concentrations. With this work, we have expanded the number of chemicals with toxicity values available, thereby enabling a much broader coverage for inhalation risk and impact assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Aurisano
- Quantitative
Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, Kgs., Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative
Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, Kgs., Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Weihsueh A. Chiu
- Department
of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United
States
| | - Richard Judson
- National
Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Suji Jang
- Department
of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United
States
| | - Aswani Unnikrishnan
- National
Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Olivier Jolliet
- Quantitative
Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, Kgs., Lyngby 2800, Denmark
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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2
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von Borries K, Holmquist H, Kosnik M, Beckwith KV, Jolliet O, Goodman JM, Fantke P. Potential for Machine Learning to Address Data Gaps in Human Toxicity and Ecotoxicity Characterization. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:18259-18270. [PMID: 37914529 PMCID: PMC10666540 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Machine Learning (ML) is increasingly applied to fill data gaps in assessments to quantify impacts associated with chemical emissions and chemicals in products. However, the systematic application of ML-based approaches to fill chemical data gaps is still limited, and their potential for addressing a wide range of chemicals is unknown. We prioritized chemical-related parameters for chemical toxicity characterization to inform ML model development based on two criteria: (1) each parameter's relevance to robustly characterize chemical toxicity described by the uncertainty in characterization results attributable to each parameter and (2) the potential for ML-based approaches to predict parameter values for a wide range of chemicals described by the availability of chemicals with measured parameter data. We prioritized 13 out of 38 parameters for developing ML-based approaches, while flagging another nine with critical data gaps. For all prioritized parameters, we performed a chemical space analysis to assess further the potential for ML-based approaches to predict data for diverse chemicals considering the structural diversity of available measured data, showing that ML-based approaches can potentially predict 8-46% of marketed chemicals based on 1-10% with available measured data. Our results can systematically inform future ML model development efforts to address data gaps in chemical toxicity characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin von Borries
- Quantitative
Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Hanna Holmquist
- IVL
Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Aschebergsgatan 44, 411 33 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Marissa Kosnik
- Quantitative
Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Katie V. Beckwith
- Centre
for Molecular Informatics, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Olivier Jolliet
- Quantitative
Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jonathan M. Goodman
- Centre
for Molecular Informatics, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United
Kingdom
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative
Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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3
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Zare Jeddi M, Galea KS, Viegas S, Fantke P, Louro H, Theunis J, Govarts E, Denys S, Fillol C, Rambaud L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Santonen T, van der Voet H, Ghosh M, Costa C, Teixeira JP, Verhagen H, Duca RC, Van Nieuwenhuyse A, Jones K, Sams C, Sepai O, Tranfo G, Bakker M, Palmen N, van Klaveren J, Scheepers PTJ, Paini A, Canova C, von Goetz N, Katsonouri A, Karakitsios S, Sarigiannis DA, Bessems J, Machera K, Harrad S, Hopf NB. FAIR environmental and health registry (FAIREHR)- supporting the science to policy interface and life science research, development and innovation. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 5:1116707. [PMID: 37342468 PMCID: PMC10278765 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1116707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The environmental impact on health is an inevitable by-product of human activity. Environmental health sciences is a multidisciplinary field addressing complex issues on how people are exposed to hazardous chemicals that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations. Exposure sciences and environmental epidemiology are becoming increasingly data-driven and their efficiency and effectiveness can significantly improve by implementing the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) principles for scientific data management and stewardship. This will enable data integration, interoperability and (re)use while also facilitating the use of new and powerful analytical tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning in the benefit of public health policy, and research, development and innovation (RDI). Early research planning is critical to ensuring data is FAIR at the outset. This entails a well-informed and planned strategy concerning the identification of appropriate data and metadata to be gathered, along with established procedures for their collection, documentation, and management. Furthermore, suitable approaches must be implemented to evaluate and ensure the quality of the data. Therefore, the 'Europe Regional Chapter of the International Society of Exposure Science' (ISES Europe) human biomonitoring working group (ISES Europe HBM WG) proposes the development of a FAIR Environment and health registry (FAIREHR) (hereafter FAIREHR). FAIR Environment and health registry offers preregistration of studies on exposure sciences and environmental epidemiology using HBM (as a starting point) across all areas of environmental and occupational health globally. The registry is proposed to receive a dedicated web-based interface, to be electronically searchable and to be available to all relevant data providers, users and stakeholders. Planned Human biomonitoring studies would ideally be registered before formal recruitment of study participants. The resulting FAIREHR would contain public records of metadata such as study design, data management, an audit trail of major changes to planned methods, details of when the study will be completed, and links to resulting publications and data repositories when provided by the authors. The FAIREHR would function as an integrated platform designed to cater to the needs of scientists, companies, publishers, and policymakers by providing user-friendly features. The implementation of FAIREHR is expected to yield significant benefits in terms of enabling more effective utilization of human biomonitoring (HBM) data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zare Jeddi
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Karen S. Galea
- Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Research Avenue North, Riccarton, United Kingdom
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics, Lisbon and ToxOmics - Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jan Theunis
- VITO HEALTH, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO HEALTH, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Denys
- SpF— Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Clémence Fillol
- SpF— Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Loïc Rambaud
- SpF— Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, Saint-Maurice, France
| | | | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Manosij Ghosh
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carla Costa
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal and EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Teixeira
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal and EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Hans Verhagen
- Nutrition Innovation Center for Food and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, United Kingdom
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Food Safety and Nutrition Consultancy, Zeist, Netherlands
| | - Radu-Corneliu Duca
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - An Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Kate Jones
- HSE—Health and Safety Executive, Buxton, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Sams
- HSE—Health and Safety Executive, Buxton, United Kingdom
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- UK Health Security Agency, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Division, Chilton, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanna Tranfo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Institute Against Accidents at Work (INAIL), Monte PorzioCatone(RM), Italy
| | - Martine Bakker
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Nicole Palmen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Jacob van Klaveren
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Paul T. J. Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Cristina Canova
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Natalie von Goetz
- Federal Office of Public Health, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Spyros Karakitsios
- HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimosthenis A. Sarigiannis
- HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Complex Risk and Data Analysis Research Center, University School for Advanced Studies IUSS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jos Bessems
- VITO HEALTH, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Kyriaki Machera
- Laboratory of Pesticides’ Toxicology, Department of Pesticides Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Kifissia, Greece
| | - Stuart Harrad
- School of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Nancy B. Hopf
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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4
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Keshava C, Nicolai S, Vulimiri SV, Cruz FA, Ghoreishi N, Knueppel S, Lenzner A, Tarnow P, Vanselow JT, Schulz B, Persad A, Baker N, Thayer KA, Williams AJ, Pirow R. Application of systematic evidence mapping to identify available data on the potential human health hazards of selected market-relevant azo dyes. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 176:107952. [PMID: 37224677 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Azo dyes are used in textiles and leather clothing. Human exposure can occur from wearing textiles containing azo dyes. Since the body's enzymes and microbiome can cleave azo dyes, potentially resulting in mutagenic or carcinogenic metabolites, there is also an indirect health concern on the parent compounds. While several hazardous azo dyes are banned, many more are still in use that have not been evaluated systematically for potential health concerns. This systematic evidence map (SEM) aims to compile and categorize the available toxicological evidence on the potential human health risks of a set of 30 market-relevant azo dyes. METHODS Peer-reviewed and gray literature was searched and over 20,000 studies were identified. These were filtered using Sciome Workbench for Interactive computer-Facilitated Text-mining (SWIFT) Review software with evidence stream tags (human, animal, in vitro) yielding 12,800 unique records. SWIFT Active (a machine-learning software) further facilitated title/abstract screening. DistillerSR software was used for additional title/abstract, full-text screening, and data extraction. RESULTS 187 studies were identified that met populations, exposures, comparators, and outcomes (PECO) criteria. From this pool, 54 human, 78 animal, and 61 genotoxicity studies were extracted into a literature inventory. Toxicological evidence was abundant for three azo dyes (also used as food additives) and sparse for five of the remaining 27 compounds. Complementary search in ECHA's REACH database for summaries of unpublished study reports revealed evidence for all 30 dyes. The question arose of how this information can be fed into an SEM process. Proper identification of prioritized dyes from various databases (including U.S. EPA's CompTox Chemicals Dashboard) turned out to be a challenge. Evidence compiled by this SEM project can be evaluated for subsequent use in problem formulation efforts to inform potential regulatory needs and prepare for a more efficient and targeted evaluation in the future for human health assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Channa Keshava
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), Chemical Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), 109 T.W. Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Suna Nicolai
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Suryanarayana V Vulimiri
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), Chemical Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), 109 T.W. Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Florenz A Cruz
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Narges Ghoreishi
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Exposure, Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sven Knueppel
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Food Safety, Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ariane Lenzner
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Patrick Tarnow
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Jens T Vanselow
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Brittany Schulz
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), Environmental Protection Agency National Student Services Contract (EPA NSSC), 100 ORAU Way, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA.
| | - Amanda Persad
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), Chemical Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), 109 T.W. Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Nancy Baker
- Leidos, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Kristina A Thayer
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), Chemical Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD), 109 T.W. Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Antony J Williams
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Ralph Pirow
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Max-Dohrn-Strasse 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
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5
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Aurisano N, Jolliet O, Chiu WA, Judson R, Jang S, Unnikrishnan A, Kosnik MB, Fantke P. Probabilistic Points of Departure and Reference Doses for Characterizing Human Noncancer and Developmental/Reproductive Effects for 10,145 Chemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:37016. [PMID: 36989077 PMCID: PMC10056221 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regulatory toxicity values used to assess and manage chemical risks rely on the determination of the point of departure (POD) for a critical effect, which results from a comprehensive and systematic assessment of available toxicity studies. However, regulatory assessments are only available for a small fraction of chemicals. OBJECTIVES Using in vivo experimental animal data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Toxicity Value Database, we developed a semiautomated approach to determine surrogate oral route PODs, and corresponding toxicity values where regulatory assessments are unavailable. METHODS We developed a curated data set restricted to effect levels, exposure routes, study designs, and species relevant for deriving toxicity values. Effect levels were adjusted to chronic human equivalent benchmark doses (BMDh). We hypothesized that a quantile of the BMDh distribution could serve as a surrogate POD and determined the appropriate quantile by calibration to regulatory PODs. Finally, we characterized uncertainties around the surrogate PODs from intra- and interstudy variability and derived probabilistic toxicity values using a standardized workflow. RESULTS The BMDh distribution for each chemical was adequately fit by a lognormal distribution, and the 25th percentile best predicted the available regulatory PODs [R2≥0.78, residual standard error (RSE)≤0.53 log10 units]. We derived surrogate PODs for 10,145 chemicals from the curated data set, differentiating between general noncancer and reproductive/developmental effects, with typical uncertainties (at 95% confidence) of a factor of 10 and 12, respectively. From these PODs, probabilistic reference doses (1% incidence at 95% confidence), as well as human population effect doses (10% incidence), were derived. DISCUSSION In providing surrogate PODs calibrated to regulatory values and deriving corresponding toxicity values, we have substantially expanded the coverage of chemicals from 744 to 8,023 for general noncancer effects, and from 41 to 6,697 for reproductive/developmental effects. These results can be used across various risk assessment and risk management contexts, from hazardous site and life cycle impact assessments to chemical prioritization and substitution. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11524.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Aurisano
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Olivier Jolliet
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Weihsueh A. Chiu
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Richard Judson
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Suji Jang
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Aswani Unnikrishnan
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Marissa B. Kosnik
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
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6
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Owsianiak M, Hauschild MZ, Posthuma L, Saouter E, Vijver MG, Backhaus T, Douziech M, Schlekat T, Fantke P. Ecotoxicity characterization of chemicals: Global recommendations and implementation in USEtox. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 310:136807. [PMID: 36228725 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chemicals emitted to the environment affect ecosystem health from local to global scale, and reducing chemical impacts has become an important element of European and global sustainability efforts. The present work advances ecotoxicity characterization of chemicals in life cycle impact assessment by proposing recommendations resulting from international expert workshops and work conducted under the umbrella of the UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative in the GLAM project (Global guidance on environmental life cycle impact assessment indicators). We include specific recommendations for broadening the assessment scope through proposing to introduce additional environmental compartments beyond freshwater and related ecotoxicity indicators, as well as for adapting the ecotoxicity effect modelling approach to better reflect environmentally relevant exposure levels and including to a larger extent chronic test data. As result, we (1) propose a consistent mathematical framework for calculating freshwater ecotoxicity characterization factors and their underlying fate, exposure and effect parameters; (2) implement the framework into the USEtox scientific consensus model; (3) calculate characterization factors for chemicals reported in an inventory of a life cycle assessment case study on rice production and consumption; and (4) investigate the influence of effect data selection criteria on resulting indicator scores. Our results highlight the need for careful interpretation of life cycle assessment impact scores in light of robustness of underlying species sensitivity distributions. Next steps are to apply the recommended characterization framework in additional case studies, and to adapt it to soil, sediment and the marine environment. Our framework is applicable for evaluating chemicals in life cycle assessment, chemical and environmental footprinting, chemical substitution, risk screening, chemical prioritization, and comparison with environmental sustainability targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikołaj Owsianiak
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Michael Z Hauschild
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Leo Posthuma
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3720 BA Bilthoven, Netherlands; Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Erwan Saouter
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate D - Sustainable Resources, 21027 Ispra, Italy
| | - Martina G Vijver
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mélanie Douziech
- Centre of Observations, Impacts, Energy, MINES Paris Tech, PSL University, Sophia Antipolis, France; LCA Research Group, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, 8046, Switzerland
| | - Tamar Schlekat
- Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Pensacola, FL, United States
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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7
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Fantke P, Bruinen de Bruin Y, Schlüter U, Connolly A, Bessems J, Kephalopoulos S, Zare Jeddi M, van Nieuwenhuyse A, Dudzina T, Scheepers PTJ, von Goetz N. The European exposure science strategy 2020-2030. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 170:107555. [PMID: 36244229 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Exposure science is an emerging and rapidly growing field dedicated to all aspects concerning the contact between chemical, biological, physical or psycho-social stressors and human and ecological receptors. With that, exposure science plays a central role in protecting human and ecosystem health, and contributes to the global transition towards a green and sustainable society. In Europe, however, exposure science is currently not sufficiently recognised as a scientific field, resulting in inefficient uptake into policies. In response, the wider European exposure science community developed elements and actions under the auspices of the Europe Regional Chapter of the International Society of Exposure Science (ISES Europe), for identified priority areas, namely education, exposure models, exposure data, human biomonitoring, and policy uptake. In the present document, we synthesize these strategic elements into an overarching 'European Exposure Science Strategy 2020-2030', following three strategic objectives that focus on acknowledging exposure science as an independent and interconnected field, harmonizing approaches and tools across regulations, and exploring collaboration, education and funding mechanisms. To operationalise this strategy, we present concrete key actions and propose initiatives and funding options for advancing the underlying science, cultivating broader education and cross-sector exposure knowledge transfer, and fostering effective uptake of exposure information into policy. We aim at anchoring European efforts in the global exposure science context, with a special focus on the interface between scientific advancements, application in decision support, and dissemination and training. This will help to develop exposure science as a strong scientific field with the ultimate goal to successfully assess and manage various stressors across sectors and geographic scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet, 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Yuri Bruinen de Bruin
- European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), Bilbao, Spain; European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Urs Schlüter
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Alison Connolly
- Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Physics, School of Natural Science and the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Jos Bessems
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Maryam Zare Jeddi
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - An van Nieuwenhuyse
- Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Natalie von Goetz
- Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, Schwarzenburgstr., 157, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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8
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Kosnik MB, Kephalopoulos S, Muñoz A, Aurisano N, Cusinato A, Dimitroulopoulou S, Slobodnik J, De Mello J, Zare Jeddi M, Cascio C, Ahrens A, Bruinen de Bruin Y, Lieck L, Fantke P. Advancing exposure data analytics and repositories as part of the European Exposure Science Strategy 2020-2030. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 170:107610. [PMID: 36356553 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
High-quality and comprehensive exposure-related data are critical for different decision contexts, including environmental and human health monitoring, and chemicals risk assessment and management. However, exposure-related data are currently scattered, frequently of unclear quality and structure, not readily accessible, and stored in various-partly overlapping-data repositories, leading to inefficient and ineffective data usage in Europe and globally. We propose strategic guidance for an integrated European exposure data production and management framework for use in science and policy, building on current and future data analysis and digitalization trends. We map the existing exposure data landscape to requirements for data analytics and repositories across European policies and regulations. We further identify needs and ways forward for improving data generation, sharing, and usage, and translate identified needs into an operational action plan for European and global advancement of exposure data for policies and regulations. Identified key areas of action are to develop consistent exposure data standards and terminology for data production and reporting, increase data transparency and availability, enhance data storage and related infrastructure, boost automation in data management, increase data integration, and advance tools for innovative data analysis. Improving and streamlining exposure data generation and uptake into science and policy is crucial for the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and European Digital Strategy, in line with EU Data policies on data management and interoperability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa B Kosnik
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Amalia Muñoz
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Geel, Belgium
| | - Nicolò Aurisano
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Sani Dimitroulopoulou
- Air Quality and Public Health, EHE Dept, UK Health Security Agency, Chilton OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jonathas De Mello
- Economy Division, United Nations Environment Programme, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Maryam Zare Jeddi
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3721 MA Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Lothar Lieck
- European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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9
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Connolly A, Scheepers PTJ, Coggins MA, Vermeire T, van Tongeren M, Heinemeyer G, Bridges JW, Bredendiek-Kämper S, de Bruin YB, Clayson A, Gerding J, McCourt J, Urbanus J, Viegas S, von Goetz N, Zare-Jeddi M, Fantke P. Framework for developing an exposure science curriculum as part of the European Exposure Science Strategy 2020-2030. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 168:107477. [PMID: 35998412 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evaluating and managing exposures to chemical, physical and biological stressors, which frequently interplay with psychological stressors as well as social and behavioural aspects, is crucial for protecting human and environmental health and transitioning towards a sustainable future. Advances in our understanding of exposure rely on input from well-trained exposure scientists. However, no education programmes in Europe are currently explicitly dedicated to cover the broader range of exposure science approaches, applications, stressors and receptors. OBJECTIVE To address this challenge, a curriculum is needed that yields credible, well-defined career pathways in exposure science. METHODS Needs and conditions for advancing exposure science education in Europe were identified. As a starting point for a way forward, harmonised learning outcomes for exposure science were defined at each level of the European Qualifications Framework. The course programme coordinators were recruited for three varying courses, with respect to the course level and the proportion of the curriculum dedicated to exposure science. These courses were assessed via our systematic course review procedure. Finally, strategic objectives and actions are proposed to build exposure science education programmes. RESULTS The ISES Europe 'Education, Training and Communication' expert working group developed a framework for creating a viable exposure science curriculum. Harmonised learning outcomes were structured under eight learning levels, categorised by knowledge, skills and competence. Illustrative case studies demonstrated how education providers integrated these learning outcomes for their educational context and aligned the overall exposure science curriculum. CONCLUSIONS The international recognition and adoption of exposure science education will enable advances in addressing global exposure science challenges for various stressors, from behavioural aspects from individual to population scale, and effective communication between exposure scientists and relevant stakeholders and policy makers, as part of the European Exposure Science Strategy 2020-2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Connolly
- Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Physics, School of Natural Science and the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 CF50, Ireland.
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marie A Coggins
- Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Physics, School of Natural Science and the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Theo Vermeire
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Netherlands(2)
| | - Martie van Tongeren
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - James W Bridges
- Emeritus Professor of Toxicology and Environmental Health University of Surrey, Guildford GU27YH, United Kingdom; Director Research for Sustainability Ltd, Guildford, GU33AE, UK
| | | | - Yuri Bruinen de Bruin
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Space, Security and Migration, Geel, Belgium
| | - Anne Clayson
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes Gerding
- German Social Accident Insurance, Institution for the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Cologne, Germany
| | - Josephine McCourt
- European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, Directorate F, Health and Food Audits and Analysis, Grange, Ireland
| | - Jan Urbanus
- Shell Health Risk Science Team, Belgian Shell N.V., B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisbon, Portugal; H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Natalie von Goetz
- Federal Office of Public Health, Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maryam Zare-Jeddi
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Netherlands(2)
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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10
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Aurisano N, Fantke P. Semi-automated harmonization and selection of chemical data for risk and impact assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 302:134886. [PMID: 35537623 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chemical data for thousands of substances are available for safety, risk, life cycle and substitution assessments, as submitted for example under the European Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. However, to widely disseminate reported physicochemical properties as well as human and ecological exposure and toxicological data for use in various science and policy fields, systematic methods for data harmonization and selection are necessary. In response to this need, we developed a semi-automated method for deriving appropriate substance property values as input for various assessment frameworks with different requirements for resolution and data quality. Starting with data reported for a given substance and property, we propose a set of aligned data selection and harmonization criteria to obtain a representative mean value and related confidence intervals per chemical-property combination. The proposed method was tested on a set of octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) for an illustrative set of 20 substances, reported under the REACH regulation as example data source. Our method is generally applicable to any set of substances, and can assess specific distributions in quality and variability across reported data. Further research can likely extend our method for mining information from text fields and adapt it to available data reported or collected from other sources and other substance properties to improve the reliability of input data for risk and impact assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Aurisano
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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11
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Aurisano N, Fantke P, Huang L, Jolliet O. Estimating mouthing exposure to chemicals in children's products. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 32:94-102. [PMID: 34188178 PMCID: PMC8770116 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00354-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing models for estimating children's exposure to chemicals through mouthing currently depends on the availability of chemical- and material-specific experimental migration rates, only covering a few dozen chemicals. OBJECTIVE This study objective is hence to develop a mouthing exposure model to predict migration into saliva, mouthing exposure, and related health risk from a wide range of chemical-material combinations in children's products. METHODS We collected experimental data on chemical migration from different products into saliva for multiple substance groups and materials, identifying chemical concentration and diffusion coefficient as main properties of influence. To predict migration rates into saliva, we adapted a previously developed migration model for chemicals in food packaging materials. We also developed a regression model based on identified chemical and material properties. RESULTS Our migration predictions correlate well with experimental data (R2 = 0.85) and vary widely from 8 × 10-7 to 32.7 µg/10 cm2/min, with plasticizers in PVC showing the highest values. Related mouthing exposure doses vary across chemicals and materials from a median of 0.005 to 253 µg/kgBW/d. Finally, we combined exposure estimates with toxicity information to yield hazard quotients and identify chemicals of concern for average and upper bound mouthing behavior scenarios. SIGNIFICANCE The proposed model can be applied for predicting migration rates for hundreds of chemical-material combinations to support high-throughput screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Aurisano
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Olivier Jolliet
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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12
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Fantke P, Cinquemani C, Yaseneva P, De Mello J, Schwabe H, Ebeling B, Lapkin AA. Transition to sustainable chemistry through digitalization. Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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13
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Zare Jeddi M, Virgolino A, Fantke P, Hopf NB, Galea KS, Remy S, Viegas S, Mustieles V, Fernandez MF, von Goetz N, Vicente JL, Slobodnik J, Rambaud L, Denys S, St-Amand A, Nakayama SF, Santonen T, Barouki R, Pasanen-Kase R, Mol HGJ, Vermeire T, Jones K, Silva MJ, Louro H, van der Voet H, Duca RC, Verhagen H, Canova C, van Klaveren J, Kolossa-Gehring M, Bessems J. A human biomonitoring (HBM) Global Registry Framework: Further advancement of HBM research following the FAIR principles. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 238:113826. [PMID: 34583227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Data generated by the rapidly evolving human biomonitoring (HBM) programmes are providing invaluable opportunities to support and advance regulatory risk assessment and management of chemicals in occupational and environmental health domains. However, heterogeneity across studies, in terms of design, terminology, biomarker nomenclature, and data formats, limits our capacity to compare and integrate data sets retrospectively (reuse). Registration of HBM studies is common for clinical trials; however, the study designs and resulting data collections cannot be traced easily. We argue that an HBM Global Registry Framework (HBM GRF) could be the solution to several of challenges hampering the (re)use of HBM (meta)data. The aim is to develop a global, host-independent HBM registry framework based on the use of harmonised open-access protocol templates from designing, undertaking of an HBM study to the use and possible reuse of the resulting HBM (meta)data. This framework should apply FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) principles as a core data management strategy to enable the (re)use of HBM (meta)data to its full potential through the data value chain. Moreover, we believe that implementation of FAIR principles is a fundamental enabler for digital transformation within environmental health. The HBM GRF would encompass internationally harmonised and agreed open access templates for HBM study protocols, structured web-based functionalities to deposit, find, and access harmonised protocols of HBM studies. Registration of HBM studies using the HBM GRF is anticipated to increase FAIRness of the resulting (meta)data. It is also considered that harmonisation of existing data sets could be performed retrospectively. As a consequence, data wrangling activities to make data ready for analysis will be minimised. In addition, this framework would enable the HBM (inter)national community to trace new HBM studies already in the planning phase and their results once finalised. The HBM GRF could also serve as a platform enhancing communication between scientists, risk assessors, and risk managers/policy makers. The planned European Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC) work along these lines, based on the experience obtained in previous joint European initiatives. Therefore, PARC could very well bring a first demonstration of first essential functionalities within the development of the HBM GRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zare Jeddi
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Ana Virgolino
- Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nancy B Hopf
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Karen S Galea
- IOM - Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, EH14 4AP, UK
| | - Sylvie Remy
- VITO - Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Health Unit, Mol, Belgium
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1169-056, Lisbon, Portugal; H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1500-310, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Joana Lobo Vicente
- EEA - European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Jaroslav Slobodnik
- NORMAN Association, Rue Jacques Taffanel - Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Loïc Rambaud
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Sébastien Denys
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Annie St-Amand
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shoji F Nakayama
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
| | - Tiina Santonen
- FIOH-Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, FI-00032, Työterveyslaitos, Finland
| | - Robert Barouki
- Université de Paris, Inserm Unit 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Robert Pasanen-Kase
- SECO - State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Labour Directorate Section Chemicals and Work (ABCH), Switzerland
| | - Hans G J Mol
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) - part of Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Theo Vermeire
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Kate Jones
- HSE - Health and Safety Executive, Harpur Hill, Buxton, SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Maria João Silva
- INSA - National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal; TOXOMICS - Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- INSA - National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal; TOXOMICS - Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Hilko van der Voet
- Wageningen University & Research, Biometris, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Radu-Corneliu Duca
- Unit Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, National Health Laboratory, Dudelange, Luxembourg; Centre Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Verhagen
- University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK; Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Cristina Canova
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health-University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jacob van Klaveren
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jos Bessems
- VITO - Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Health Unit, Mol, Belgium
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14
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Fantke P, Chiu WA, Aylward L, Judson R, Huang L, Jang S, Gouin T, Rhomberg L, Aurisano N, McKone T, Jolliet O. Exposure and Toxicity Characterization of Chemical Emissions and Chemicals in Products: Global Recommendations and Implementation in USEtox. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT 2021; 26:899-915. [PMID: 34140756 PMCID: PMC8208704 DOI: 10.1007/s11367-021-01889-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Reducing chemical pressure on human and environmental health is an integral part of the global sustainability agenda. Guidelines for deriving globally applicable, life cycle based indicators are required to consistently quantify toxicity impacts from chemical emissions as well as from chemicals in consumer products. In response, we elaborate the methodological framework and present recommendations for advancing near-field/far-field exposure and toxicity characterization, and for implementing these recommendations in the scientific consensus model USEtox. METHODS An expert taskforce was convened by the Life Cycle Initiative hosted by UN Environment to expand existing guidance for evaluating human toxicity impacts from exposure to chemical substances. This taskforce evaluated advances since the original release of USEtox. Based on these advances, the taskforce identified two major aspects that required refinement, namely integrating near-field and far-field exposure and improving human dose-response modeling. Dedicated efforts have led to a set of recommendations to address these aspects in an update of USEtox, while ensuring consistency with the boundary conditions for characterizing life cycle toxicity impacts and being aligned with recommendations from agencies that regulate chemical exposure. The proposed framework was finally tested in an illustrative rice production and consumption case study. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION On the exposure side, a matrix system is proposed and recommended to integrate far-field exposure from environmental emissions with near-field exposure from chemicals in various consumer product types. Consumer exposure is addressed via submodels for each product type to account for product characteristics and exposure settings. Case study results illustrate that product-use related exposure dominates overall life cycle exposure. On the effect side, a probabilistic dose-response approach combined with a decision tree for identifying reliable points of departure is proposed for non-cancer effects, following recent guidance from the World Health Organization. This approach allows for explicitly considering both uncertainty and human variability in effect factors. Factors reflecting disease severity are proposed to distinguish cancer from non-cancer effects, and within the latter discriminate reproductive/developmental and other non-cancer effects. All proposed aspects have been consistently implemented into the original USEtox framework. CONCLUSIONS The recommended methodological advancements address several key limitations in earlier approaches. Next steps are to test the new characterization framework in additional case studies and to close remaining research gaps. Our framework is applicable for evaluating chemical emissions and product-related exposure in life cycle assessment, chemical alternatives assessment and chemical substitution, consumer exposure and risk screening, and high-throughput chemical prioritization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Weihsueh A. Chiu
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Lesa Aylward
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Richard Judson
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Suji Jang
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Todd Gouin
- TG Environmental Research, Sharnbrook, MK44 1PL, UK
| | | | - Nicolò Aurisano
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas McKone
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Olivier Jolliet
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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15
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Jolliet O, Huang L, Hou P, Fantke P. High Throughput Risk and Impact Screening of Chemicals in Consumer Products. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2021; 41:627-644. [PMID: 33073419 PMCID: PMC8246852 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of more than 80,000 chemicals in thousands of consumer products used on a daily basis stresses the need for screening a broader set of chemicals than the traditional well-studied suspect chemicals. This high-throughput screening combines stochastic chemical-product usage with mass balance-based exposure models and toxicity data to prioritize risks associated with household products. We first characterize product usage using the stochastic SHEDS-HT model and chemical content in common household products from the CPDat database, the chemical amounts applied daily varying over more than six orders of magnitude, from mg to kg. We then estimate multi-pathways near- and far-field exposures for 5,500 chemical-product combinations, applying an extended USEtox model to calculate product intake fractions ranging from 0.001 to ∼1, and exposure doses varying over more than nine orders of magnitude. Combining exposure doses with chemical-specific dose-responses and reference doses shows that risks can be substantial for multiple home maintenance products, such as paints or paint strippers, for some home-applied pesticides, leave-on personal care products, and cleaning products. Sixty percent of the chemical-product combinations have hazard quotients exceeding 1, and 9% of the combinations have lifetime cancer risks exceeding 10-4 . Population-level impacts of household products ingredients can be substantial, representing 5 to 100 minutes of healthy life lost per day, with users' exposures up to 103 minutes per day. To address this issue, present mass balance-based models are already able to provide exposure estimates for both users and populations. This screening study shows large variations of up to 10 orders of magnitude in impact across both chemicals and product combinations, demonstrating that prioritization based on hazard only is not acceptable, since it would neglect orders of magnitude variations in both product usage and exposure that need to be quantified. To address this, the USEtox suite of mass balance-based models is already able to provide exposure estimates for thousands of product-chemical combinations for both users and populations. The present study calls for more scrutiny of most impacting chemical-product combinations, fully ensuring from a regulatory perspective consumer product safety for high-end users and using protective measures for users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Jolliet
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public HealthUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Lei Huang
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public HealthUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Ping Hou
- School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and EconomicsTechnical University of Denmark2800 KgsLyngbyDenmark
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16
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Aurisano N, Huang L, Milà I Canals L, Jolliet O, Fantke P. Chemicals of concern in plastic toys. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106194. [PMID: 33115697 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We present a list of Chemicals of Concern (CoCs) in plastic toys. We started from available studies reporting chemical composition of toys to group plastic materials, as well as to gather mass fractions and function of chemicals in these materials. Chemical emissions from plastic toys and subsequent human exposures were then estimated using a series of models and a coupled near-field and far-field exposure assessment framework. Comparing human doses with reference doses shows high Hazard Quotients of up to 387 and cancer risk calculated using cancer slope factors of up to 0.0005. Plasticizers in soft plastic materials show the highest risk, with 31 out of the 126 chemicals identified as CoCs, with sum of Hazard Quotients >1 or child cancer risk >10-6. Our results indicate that a relevant amount of chemicals used in plastic toy materials may pose a non-negligible health risk to children, calling for more refined investigations and more human- and eco-friendly alternatives. The 126 chemicals identified as CoCs were compared with other existing regulatory prioritization lists. While some of our chemicals appear in other lists, we also identified additional priority chemicals that are not yet covered elsewhere and thus require further attention. We finally derive for all considered chemicals the maximum Acceptable Chemical Content (ACC) in the grouped toy plastic materials as powerful green chemistry tool to check whether chemical alternatives could create substantial risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Aurisano
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Llorenç Milà I Canals
- Economy Division, United Nations Environment Programme, 1 Rue de Miollis, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Jolliet
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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Fantke P, von Goetz N, Schlüter U, Bessems J, Connolly A, Dudzina T, Ahrens A, Bridges J, Coggins MA, Conrad A, Hänninen O, Heinemeyer G, Kephalopoulos S, McLachlan M, Meijster T, Poulsen V, Rother D, Vermeire T, Viegas S, Vlaanderen J, Jeddi MZ, Bruinen de Bruin Y. Building a European exposure science strategy. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2020; 30:917-924. [PMID: 31792311 PMCID: PMC7704392 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-019-0193-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Exposure information is a critical element in various regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks in Europe and elsewhere. Exposure science supports to ensure safe environments, reduce human health risks, and foster a sustainable future. However, increasing diversity in regulations and the lack of a professional identity as exposure scientists currently hamper developing the field and uptake into European policy. In response, we discuss trends, and identify three key needs for advancing and harmonizing exposure science and its application in Europe. We provide overarching building blocks and define six long-term activities to address the identified key needs, and to iteratively improve guidelines, tools, data, and education. More specifically, we propose creating European networks to maximize synergies with adjacent fields and identify funding opportunities, building common exposure assessment approaches across regulations, providing tiered education and training programmes, developing an aligned and integrated exposure assessment framework, offering best practices guidance, and launching an exposure information exchange platform. Dedicated working groups will further specify these activities in a consistent action plan. Together, these elements form the foundation for establishing goals and an action roadmap for successfully developing and implementing a 'European Exposure Science Strategy' 2020-2030, which is aligned with advances in science and technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark.
| | | | - Urs Schlüter
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jos Bessems
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Mol, Belgium
| | - Alison Connolly
- School of Physics and the Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | | | | | - Jim Bridges
- Research for Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Marie A Coggins
- School of Physics and the Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - André Conrad
- German Environment Agency, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | | | | | - Stylianos Kephalopoulos
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate F-Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Ispra, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Dag Rother
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Theo Vermeire
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Susana Viegas
- H&TRC Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- CISP Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jelle Vlaanderen
- Institutes for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Maryam Zare Jeddi
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Yuri Bruinen de Bruin
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate E-Space, Security and Migration, Ispra, Italy.
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