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Doe JE, Boobis AR, Cohen SM, Dellarco VL, Fenner-Crisp PA, Moretto A, Pastoor TP, Schoeny RS, Seed JG, Wolf DC. The codification of hazard and its impact on the hazard versus risk controversy. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:3611-3621. [PMID: 34559250 PMCID: PMC8492552 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03145-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The long running controversy about the relative merits of hazard-based versus risk-based approaches has been investigated. There are three levels of hazard codification: level 1 divides chemicals into dichotomous bands of hazardous and non-hazardous; level 2 divides chemicals into bands of hazard based on severity and/or potency; and level 3 places each chemical on a continuum of hazard based on severity and/or potency. Any system which imposes compartments onto a continuum will give rise to issues at the boundaries, especially with only two compartments. Level 1 schemes are only justifiable if there is no variation in severity, or potency or if there is no threshold. This is the assumption implicit in GHS/EU classification for carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity and mutagenicity. However, this assumption has been challenged. Codification level 2 hazard assessments offer a range of choices and reduce the built-in conflict inherent in the level 1 process. Level 3 assessments allow a full range of choices between the extremes and reduce the built-in conflict even more. The underlying reason for the controversy between hazard and risk is the use of level 1 hazard codification schemes in situations where there are ranges of severity and potency which require the use of level 2 or level 3 hazard codification. There is not a major difference between level 2 and level 3 codification, and they can both be used to select appropriate risk management options. Existing level 1 codification schemes should be reviewed and developed into level 2 schemes where appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Doe
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
| | - Alan R Boobis
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Samuel M Cohen
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Havlik-Wall Professor of Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-3135, USA
| | | | | | - Angelo Moretto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cardio-Toraco-Vascolari e Sanità Pubblica, (Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular and Public Health Sciences), Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Douglas C Wolf
- Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, Greensboro, NC, 27419, USA
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Doe JE. A proposal to improve clarity and communication in the EU Classification process for chemicals for carcinogenicity and reproductive and developmental toxicity. J Appl Toxicol 2014; 34:1068-72. [PMID: 25059745 PMCID: PMC4255787 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
There is an issue in the EU classification of substances for carcinogenicity and for reproductive or developmental toxicity which has brought difficulties to those involved in the process. The issue lies in the inability of the classification system to distinguish between carcinogens and reproductive toxicants with different levels of concern. This has its origins in the early years of toxicology when it was thought that a relatively small number of chemicals would be either carcinogens or reproductive toxicants, but this has turned out not to be the case. This can cause problems in communicating to the users of chemicals, including the public, the nature of the hazard presented by chemicals. Processes have been developed within the classification system for setting specific concentration limits which assess the degree of hazard for carcinogens and reproductive toxicants as high, medium or low. However these categories are not otherwise used in classification. It is proposed that their wider use would bring the advantages of transparency, clarity of communication, certainty of the process and would allow chemicals with a high degree of hazard to be identified and managed in an appropriate way.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Doe
- Parker Doe Partnership LLPBox 139, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 1AZ, United Kingdom
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Scientific Opinion on Exploring options for providing advice about possible human health risks based on the concept of Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC). EFSA J 2012. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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