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More SJ, Benford D, Hougaard Bennekou S, Bampidis V, Bragard C, Halldorsson TI, Hernández‐Jerez AF, Koutsoumanis K, Lambré C, Machera K, Mullins E, Nielsen SS, Schlatter J, Schrenk D, Turck D, Naska A, Poulsen M, Ranta J, Sand S, Wallace H, Bastaki M, Liem D, Smith A, Ververis E, Zamariola G, Younes M. Guidance on risk-benefit assessment of foods. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8875. [PMID: 39015302 PMCID: PMC11250173 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The EFSA Scientific Committee has updated its 2010 Guidance on risk-benefit assessment (RBA) of foods. The update addresses methodological developments and regulatory needs. While it retains the stepwise RBA approach, it provides additional methods for complex assessments, such as multiple chemical hazards and all relevant health effects impacting different population subgroups. The updated guidance includes approaches for systematic identification, prioritisation and selection of hazardous and beneficial food components. It also offers updates relevant to characterising adverse and beneficial effects, such as measures of effect size and dose-response modelling. The guidance expands options for characterising risks and benefits, incorporating variability, uncertainty, severity categorisation and ranking of different (beneficial or adverse) effects. The impact of different types of health effects is assessed qualitatively or quantitatively, depending on the problem formulation, scope of the RBA question and data availability. The integration of risks and benefits often involves value-based judgements and should ideally be performed with the risk-benefit manager. Metrics such as Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) can be used. Additional approaches are presented, such as probability of all relevant effects and/or effects of given severities and their integration using severity weight functions. The update includes practical guidance on reporting results, interpreting outcomes and communicating the outcome of an RBA, considering consumer perspectives and responses to advice.
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Lu EH, Grimm FA, Rusyn I, De Saeger S, De Boevre M, Chiu WA. Advancing probabilistic risk assessment by integrating human biomonitoring, new approach methods, and Bayesian modeling: A case study with the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 182:108326. [PMID: 38000237 PMCID: PMC10898272 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108326] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin frequently observed in cereals and cereal-based foods, with reported toxicological effects including reduced body weight, immunotoxicity and reproductive defects. The European Food Safety Authority used traditional risk assessment approaches to derive a deterministic Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 1 μg/kg-day, however data from human biomarkers studies indicate widespread and variable exposure worldwide, necessitating more sophisticated and advanced methods to quantify population risk. The World Health Organization/International Programme on Chemical Safety (WHO/IPCS) has previously used DON as a case example in replacing the TDI with a probabilistic toxicity value, using default uncertainty and variability distributions to derive the Human Dose corresponding to an effect size M in the Ith percentile of the population (HDMI) for M = 5 % decrease in body weight and I = 1 %. In this study, we extend this case study by incorporating (1) Bayesian modeling approaches, (2) using both in vivo data and in vitro population new approach methods to replace default distributions for interspecies toxicokinetic (TK) differences and intraspecies TK and toxicodynamic (TD) variability, and (3) integrating biomonitoring data and probabilistic dose-response functions to characterize population risk distributions. We first derive an HDMI of 5.5 [1.4-24] μg/kg-day, also using TK modeling to converted the HDMI to Biomonitoring Equivalents, BEMI for comparison with biomonitoring data, with a blood BEMI of 0.53 [0.17-1.6] μg/L and a urinary excretion BEMI of 3.9 [1.0-16] μg/kg-day. We then illustrate how this integrative approach can advance quantitative risk characterization using two human biomonitoring datasets, estimating both the fraction of population with an effect size M ≥ 5 % as well as the distribution of effect sizes. Overall, we demonstrate that integration of Bayesian modeling, human biomonitoring data, and in vitro population-based TD data within the WHO/IPCS probabilistic framework yields more accurate, precise, and comprehensive risk characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- En-Hsuan Lu
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Fabian A Grimm
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States.
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marthe De Boevre
- Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Weihsueh A Chiu
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology and Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States.
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Ye C, Xiao X, Sui H, Yang D, Yong L, Song Y. Trends of caffeine intake from food and beverage among Chinese adults: 2004-2018. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 173:113629. [PMID: 36682416 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Caffeine is a kind of psychostimulant that naturally exist in foods. The benefits and risks of caffeine depend on the dose. Moreover, the intake of caffeine from dietary sources in China has seldom been assessed. We calculated the dietary caffeine intake of Chinese adult consumers from 2004 to 2018 and analyzed its consumption trends by using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey and the National Food and Beverage Consumption Survey. Caffeine contents in different dietary items were determined by HPLC. Monte Carlo simulations were applied to estimate caffeine intake. Mann-Kendall trend test and linear regression were used to analyze the trend of caffeine consumption. Among 79,173 individuals, 3972 (5%) of the adult Chinese population consumed caffeine between 2004 and 2018. The average caffeine intake was 123 mg/day for male consumers and 116 mg/day for female consumers. The median and P75 caffeine intake raised over the 14 years. Traditional tea leaves, coffee and sodas are the main sources of caffeine intake. Our findings indicate that most Chinese adults consumed caffeine within the safe level (400 mg/day), but the caffeine consumption has shown an increasing trend in recent 14 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Ye
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022, China; Department of Nutrition & Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Haixia Sui
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Daoyuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Ling Yong
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022, China.
| | - Yan Song
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022, China.
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Yong L, Song Y, Xiao X, Sui H, Xu H, Tan R, Yang X, Song J, Li J, Wei S. Quantitative probabilistic assessment of caffeine intake from tea in Chinese adult consumers based on nationwide caffeine content determination and tea consumption survey. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 165:113102. [PMID: 35513285 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Caffeine has known effects on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. An intake up to 400 mg/day does not give rise to health concerns. Tea, a major source of caffeine, is highly consumed in China. However, the potential health risk of caffeine from tea has not been well evaluated. The present study assessed caffeine intake levels from tea for Chinese adult consumers. We collected 1,398 samples of green, black, dark, jasmine, oolong, white, and yellow tea from 17 provinces. The caffeine content was determined by HPLC. The average contents were 27 (oolong tea) - 43 (yellow tea) mg/g. The leaching rate of caffeine into the water was about 100%. Tea consumption data were from the National Beverage Consumption Survey 2013-2014. Monte Carlo simulations were applied to estimate the distribution of caffeine intake. The average caffeine intake from tea was 180 mg/day of all consumers. Green, dark, and black tea were the primary sources. Males (197 mg/day) consumed more caffeine than females (136 mg/day) on average, but females older than 71 years had the highest intake level (259 mg/day) among all subgroups. Over 90% of Chinese adult tea drinkers have caffeine intake under 400 mg/day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Yan Song
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Haixia Sui
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Haibin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Rong Tan
- Hangzhou Tea Research Institute, China coop, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Transboundary Applied Technology for Tea Recourses, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Xiufang Yang
- Hangzhou Tea Research Institute, China coop, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Transboundary Applied Technology for Tea Recourses, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Jian Song
- Food and Nutrition Institute, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Jianwen Li
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment), Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Sheng Wei
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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Maertens A, Golden E, Luechtefeld TH, Hoffmann S, Tsaioun K, Hartung T. Probabilistic risk assessment - the keystone for the future of toxicology. ALTEX 2022; 39:3-29. [PMID: 35034131 PMCID: PMC8906258 DOI: 10.14573/altex.2201081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Safety sciences must cope with uncertainty of models and results as well as information gaps. Acknowledging this uncer-tainty necessitates embracing probabilities and accepting the remaining risk. Every toxicological tool delivers only probable results. Traditionally, this is taken into account by using uncertainty / assessment factors and worst-case / precautionary approaches and thresholds. Probabilistic methods and Bayesian approaches seek to characterize these uncertainties and promise to support better risk assessment and, thereby, improve risk management decisions. Actual assessments of uncertainty can be more realistic than worst-case scenarios and may allow less conservative safety margins. Most importantly, as soon as we agree on uncertainty, this defines room for improvement and allows a transition from traditional to new approach methods as an engineering exercise. The objective nature of these mathematical tools allows to assign each methodology its fair place in evidence integration, whether in the context of risk assessment, sys-tematic reviews, or in the definition of an integrated testing strategy (ITS) / defined approach (DA) / integrated approach to testing and assessment (IATA). This article gives an overview of methods for probabilistic risk assessment and their application for exposure assessment, physiologically-based kinetic modelling, probability of hazard assessment (based on quantitative and read-across based structure-activity relationships, and mechanistic alerts from in vitro studies), indi-vidual susceptibility assessment, and evidence integration. Additional aspects are opportunities for uncertainty analysis of adverse outcome pathways and their relation to thresholds of toxicological concern. In conclusion, probabilistic risk assessment will be key for constructing a new toxicology paradigm - probably!
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Maertens
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emily Golden
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas H. Luechtefeld
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- ToxTrack, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sebastian Hoffmann
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- seh consulting + services, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Katya Tsaioun
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- CAAT Europe, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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6
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Duan Y, Ramilan T, Luo J, French N, Guan N. Risk assessment approaches for evaluating cumulative exposures to multiple pesticide residues in agro-products using seasonal vegetable monitoring data from Hainan, China: a case study. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:578. [PMID: 34398280 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09328-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Risks from combined exposure to multiple chemicals in food have prompted a growing concern for their effect on human health. Risk management of chemical mixtures should be based on developing and harmonizing methodologies to scientifically evaluate their cumulative adverse effects. In this study, a simplified tiered approach of cumulative exposure assessment is described along with a case study of vegetables in China's Hainan province during 2012-2014. This case study could be a reference for the Chinese National Risk Assessment Programs for vegetable and fruit products. In the proposed assessment approach, Tier 1 acts as a screening tier to categorize and evaluate chemicals under a conservative scenario, and it prioritizes the pesticides of most concern. Tier 2 refines the grouping of substances from Tier 1 and normalizes the toxic potency of the chemicals to sum the exposure of chemical mixtures in a given assessment group. Tier 3 applies the refined exposure model and the input parameter distribution to create probabilistic models using Monte Carlo simulation. This approach will be helpful in the cumulative exposure assessment where data on pesticide residues are sufficient, but the individual dietary consumption is inadequate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Duan
- Analysis and Test Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Tropical Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety for Tropical Fruits and Vegetables, Haikou, China
- Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Center, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Thiagarajah Ramilan
- New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Center, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - Jinhui Luo
- Analysis and Test Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Tropical Products of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety for Tropical Fruits and Vegetables, Haikou, China
| | - Nigel French
- Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Center, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - Ni Guan
- National Engineering Research Center for Non-Food Bio-Refinery, Guangxi Academy of Science, Nanning, China
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Thomsen ST, Assunção R, Afonso C, Boué G, Cardoso C, Cubadda F, Garre A, Kruisselbrink JW, Mantovani A, Pitter JG, Poulsen M, Verhagen H, Ververis E, Voet HVD, Watzl B, Pires SM. Human health risk-benefit assessment of fish and other seafood: a scoping review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:7479-7502. [PMID: 33951954 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1915240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Fish and other seafood are important sources of nutrients, but they are also sources of chemical contaminants that may cause adverse health effects. This article aimed to identify existing risk-benefit assessments (RBA) of fish, shellfish, and other seafood, compare methodologies, discuss differences and commonalities in findings, and identify limitations and ways forward for future studies. We conducted a scoping review of the scientific literature of studies in all languages published from 2000 through April 2019. We identified 106 RBA of fish and other seafood across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and at the global level. Studies were heterogeneous in terms of types of fish and other seafood considered, beneficial and adverse compounds assessed, and overall methodology. Collected data showed that a diet consisting of a variety of lean and fatty fish and other seafood is recommended for the overall population and that women of childbearing age and children should limit the consumption of fish and other seafood types that have a high likelihood of contamination. Our review emphasizes the need for evidence-based, up-to-date, and harmonized approaches in RBA in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Theresa Thomsen
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ricardo Assunção
- Food and Nutrition Department, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal.,CESAM, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Afonso
- Division of Aquaculture, Upgrading and Bioprospection (DivAV), Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA, IP), Portugal
| | - Géraldine Boué
- National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAe), Oniris, Secalim UMR 1014, Nantes, France
| | - Carlos Cardoso
- Division of Aquaculture, Upgrading and Bioprospection (DivAV), Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA, IP), Portugal
| | - Francesco Cubadda
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Garre
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Alberto Mantovani
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Morten Poulsen
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Verhagen
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.,European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy.,University of Ulster, Northern, Ireland
| | - Ermolaos Ververis
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy.,School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
| | | | - Bernhard Watzl
- Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Sara M Pires
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cantoni B, Penserini L, Vries D, Dingemans MML, Bokkers BGH, Turolla A, Smeets PWMH, Antonelli M. Development of a quantitative chemical risk assessment (QCRA) procedure for contaminants of emerging concern in drinking water supply. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 194:116911. [PMID: 33607390 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.116911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The uncertainties on the occurrence, fate and hazard of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) increasingly challenge drinking water (DW) utilities whether additional measures should be taken to reduce the health risk. This has led to the development and evaluation of risk-based approaches by the scientific community. DW guideline values are commonly derived based on deterministic chemical risk assessment (CRA). Here, we propose a new probabilistic procedure, that is a quantitative chemical risk assessment (QCRA), to assess potential health risk related to the occurrence of CECs in DW. The QCRA includes uncertainties in risk calculation in both exposure and hazard assessments. To quantify the health risk in terms of the benchmark quotient probabilistic distribution, the QCRA estimates the probabilistic distribution of CECs concentration in DW based on their concentration in source water and simulating the breakthrough curves of a granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment process. The model inputs and output uncertainties were evaluated by sensitivity and uncertainty analyses for each step of the risk assessment to identify the most relevant factors affecting risk estimation. Dominant factors resulted to be the concentration of CECs in water sources, GAC isotherm parameters and toxicological data. To stress the potential of this new QCRA approach, several case studies are considered with focus on bisphenol A as an example CEC and various GAC management options. QCRA quantifies the probabilistic risk, providing more insight compared to CRA. QCRA proved to be more effective in supporting the intervention prioritization for treatment optimization to pursue health risk minimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Cantoni
- Politecnico Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA) - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Penserini
- Politecnico Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA) - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Dirk Vries
- KWR, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Milou M L Dingemans
- KWR, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bas G H Bokkers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Turolla
- Politecnico Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA) - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Manuela Antonelli
- Politecnico Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA) - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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9
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Methodology for health risk assessment of combined exposures to multiple chemicals. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 143:111520. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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10
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Silva AV, Ringblom J, Lindh C, Scott K, Jakobsson K, Öberg M. A Probabilistic Approach to Evaluate the Risk of Decreased Total Triiodothyronine Hormone Levels following Chronic Exposure to PFOS and PFHxS via Contaminated Drinking Water. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:76001. [PMID: 32639173 PMCID: PMC7341959 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been observed in many countries. Current deterministic frameworks for risk assessment lack the ability to predict the likelihood of effects and to assess uncertainty. When exposure exceeds tolerable intake levels, these shortcomings hamper risk management and communication. OBJECTIVE The integrated probabilistic risk assessment (IPRA) combines dose-response and exposure data to estimate the likelihood of adverse effects. We evaluated the usefulness of the IPRA for risk characterization related to decreased levels of total triiodothyronine (T 3 ) in humans following a real case of high exposure to PFAS via drinking water. METHODS PFAS exposure was defined as serum levels from residents of a contaminated area in Ronneby, Sweden. Median levels were 270 ng / mL [perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)] and 229 ng / mL [perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)] for individuals who resided in Ronneby 1 y before the exposure termination. This data was integrated with data from a subchronic toxicity study in monkeys exposed daily to PFOS. Benchmark dose modeling was employed to describe separate dose-effect relationship for males and females, and extrapolation factor distributions were used to estimate the corresponding human benchmark dose. The critical effect level was defined as a 10% decrease in total T 3 . RESULTS The median probability of critical exposure, following a combined exposure to PFOS and PFHxS, was estimated to be [2.1% (90% CI: 0.4 % - 13.1 % )]. Gender-based analysis showed that this risk was almost entirely distributed among women, namely [3.9% (90% CI: 0.8 % - 21.6 % )]. DISCUSSION The IPRA was compared with the traditional deterministic Margin of Exposure (MoE) approach. We conclude that probabilistic risk characterization represents an important step forward in the ability to adequately analyze group-specific health risks. Moreover, quantifying the sources of uncertainty is desirable, as it improves the awareness among stakeholders and will guide future efforts to improve accuracy. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6654.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antero Vieira Silva
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joakim Ringblom
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Lindh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kristin Scott
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mattias Öberg
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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van der Voet H, Kruisselbrink JW, de Boer WJ, van Lenthe MS, van den Heuvel J(H, Crépet A, Kennedy MC, Zilliacus J, Beronius A, Tebby C, Brochot C, Luckert C, Lampen A, Rorije E, Sprong C, van Klaveren JD. The MCRA toolbox of models and data to support chemical mixture risk assessment. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 138:111185. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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12
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Kennedy MC, Hart ADM, Kruisselbrink JW, van Lenthe M, de Boer WJ, van der Voet H, Rorije E, Sprong C, van Klaveren J. A retain and refine approach to cumulative risk assessment. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 138:111223. [PMID: 32088251 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Mixtures of substances to which humans are exposed may lead to cumulative exposure and health effects. To study their effects, it is first necessary to identify a cumulative assessment group (CAG) of substances for risk assessment or hazard testing. Excluding substances from consideration before there is sufficient evidence may underestimate the risk. Conversely, including everything and treating the inevitable uncertainties using conservative assumptions is inefficient and may overestimate the risk, with an unknown level of protection. An efficient, transparent strategy is described to retain a large group, quantifying the uncertainty of group membership and other uncertainties. Iterative refinement of the CAG then focuses on adding information for the substances with high probability of contributing significantly to the risk. Probabilities can be estimated using expert opinion or derived from data on substance properties. An example is presented with 100 pesticides, in which the retain step identified a single substance to target refinement. Using an updated hazard characterisation for this substance reduced the mean exposure estimate from 0.43 to 0.28 μg kg-bw-1 day-1 and reduced the 99.99th percentile exposure from 24.9 to 5.1 μg kg-bw-1 day-1. Other retained substances contributed little to the risk estimates, even after accounting for uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc C Kennedy
- Fera Science Ltd, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, United Kingdom.
| | - Andy D M Hart
- Fera Science Ltd, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes W Kruisselbrink
- Wageningen University & Research, Biometrics, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marco van Lenthe
- Wageningen University & Research, Biometrics, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Waldo J de Boer
- Wageningen University & Research, Biometrics, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hilko van der Voet
- Wageningen University & Research, Biometrics, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Emiel Rorije
- RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, The Netherlands, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Corinne Sprong
- RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, The Netherlands, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Jacob van Klaveren
- RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, The Netherlands, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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Lindqvist R, Langerholc T, Ranta J, Hirvonen T, Sand S. A common approach for ranking of microbiological and chemical hazards in foods based on risk assessment - useful but is it possible? Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2019; 60:3461-3474. [PMID: 31760761 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2019.1693957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This article compares and contrasts microbial and chemical risk assessment methodologies in order to evaluate the potential for a common framework for ranking of risk of chemical and microbiological hazards, and developments needed for such a framework. An overview of microbial (MRA) and chemical (CRA) risk assessment is presented and important differences are highlighted. Two microbiological and two chemical hazard-food combinations were ranked based on both a margin of exposure and a risk assessment approach. The comparisons illustrated that it is possible to rank chemical and microbiological hazard-food combinations with traditional approaches from each domain and indicated that the rank order but not the absolute measures is similar using either approach. Including severity in the assessment using DALY reduced differences between hazards and affected the outcome more than which approach was used. Ranking frameworks should include assessment of uncertainty as an integral part of the ranking, and be based on assessment of risk, not safety, and expressed in a common health metric such as disease burden. Necessary simplifications to address data gaps can involve the use of default scenarios. Challenges include comparisons of case-based vs. non-case-based health-endpoints, e.g. biomarker concentration, and integration of the severity of health effects into ranking.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lindqvist
- Department of Risk Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - T Langerholc
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - J Ranta
- Risk Assessment Research Unit, Finnish Food Safety Authority, Evira, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Hirvonen
- Risk Assessment Research Unit, Finnish Food Safety Authority, Evira, Helsinki, Finland
| | - S Sand
- Department of Risk Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
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14
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Jakobsen LS, Georgiadis S, Nielsen BF, Bokkers BGH, Boriani E, Duedahl-Olesen L, Hald T, Nauta MJ, Stockmarr A, Pires SM. Probabilistic approach for assessing cancer risk due to benzo[a]pyrene in barbecued meat: Informing advice for population groups. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207032. [PMID: 30408084 PMCID: PMC6224084 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consumption of meat prepared by barbecuing is associated with risk of cancer due to formation of carcinogenic compounds including benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Assessment of a population's risk of disease and people's individual probability of disease given specific consumer attributes may direct food safety strategies to where impact on public health is largest. The aim of this study was to propose a model that estimates the risk of cancer caused by exposure to BaP from barbecued meat in Denmark, and to estimate the probability of developing cancer in subgroups of the population given different barbecuing frequencies. METHODS We developed probabilistic models applying two dimensional Monte Carlo simulation to take into account the variation in exposure given age and sex and in the individuals' sensitivity to develop cancer after exposure to BaP, and the uncertainty in the dose response model. We used the Danish dietary consumption survey, monitoring data of chemical concentrations, data on consumer behavior of frequency of barbecuing, and animal dose response data. FINDINGS We estimated an average extra lifetime risk of cancer due to BaP from barbecued meat of 6.8 × 10-5 (95% uncertainty interval 2.6 × 10-7 - 7.0 × 10-4) in the Danish population. This corresponds to approximately one to 4,074 extra cancer cases over a lifetime, reflecting wide uncertainty. The impact per barbecuing event on the risk of cancer for men and women of low body weight was higher compared to higher bodyweight. However, the difference due to sex and bodyweight between subgroups are dwarfed by the uncertainty. INTERPRETATION This study proposes a model that can be applied to other substances and routes of exposure, and allows for deriving the change in risk following a specific change in behaviour. The presented methodology can serve as a valuable tool for risk management, allowing for the formulation of behaviour advice targeted to specific sub-groups in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stylianos Georgiadis
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bo Friis Nielsen
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bas G. H. Bokkers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Elena Boriani
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lene Duedahl-Olesen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tine Hald
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Maarten J. Nauta
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anders Stockmarr
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sara M. Pires
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Pires SM, Boué G, Boobis A, Eneroth H, Hoekstra J, Membré JM, Persson IM, Poulsen M, Ruzante J, van Klaveren J, Thomsen ST, Nauta MJ. Risk Benefit Assessment of foods: Key findings from an international workshop. Food Res Int 2018; 116:859-869. [PMID: 30717016 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Whilst risk management measures, including food policy, are developed for the protection of public health and the environment, they may also lead to a reduction in health benefits. Policy decisions require then consideration of these necessary trade-offs, which leads to an increasing need to apply formal risk-benefit assessment (RBA) of foods. In this context, the European Food Safety Authority sponsored a Risk-Benefit Assessment Workshop on "past, current and future developments within the risk-benefit assessment of foods (RBA)" held in May 2017. The overall aims of the RBA Workshop were to discuss existing methods, challenges and needs within RBA, and to draft a roadmap for future development of RBA. The specific objectives were to i) identify RBA activities in Europe and globally; ii) discuss how to further develop and optimize RBA methodology; iii) identify challenges and opportunities within RBA; and iv) increase collaboration internationally. The two-day workshop gathered 28 participants from 16 institutions in 11 countries. It included technical presentations of RBA methods and case studies, and two break-out sessions for group discussions. All participants agreed that RBA has substantial potential to inform risk-management decisions in the areas of food safety, nutrition and public health. Several activities to optimize further developments within RBA were suggested. This paper provides a summary of workshop presentations, a discussion of challenges that limit progress in this area, and suggestions of next steps for this promising approach supporting a science-based decision process in the area of risk-benefit management of foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Pires
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Géraldine Boué
- SECALIM, INRA, Oniris, Université Bretagne Loire, Nantes, France
| | - Alan Boobis
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Hanna Eneroth
- Department of Risk Benefit Assessment, The National Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jeljer Hoekstra
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Inez Maria Persson
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Morten Poulsen
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Juliana Ruzante
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
| | - Jacob van Klaveren
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark; National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Sofie T Thomsen
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Maarten J Nauta
- Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
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16
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Jongeneel WP, Delmaar JE, Bokkers BGH. Health impact assessment of a skin sensitizer: Analysis of potential policy measures aimed at reducing geraniol concentrations in personal care products and household cleaning products. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 118:235-244. [PMID: 29890471 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A methodology to assess the health impact of skin sensitizers is introduced, which consists of the comparison of the probabilistic aggregated exposure with a probabilistic (individual) human sensitization or elicitation induction dose. The health impact of potential policy measures aimed at reducing the concentration of a fragrance allergen, geraniol, in consumer products is analysed in a simulated population derived from multiple product use surveys. Our analysis shows that current dermal exposure to geraniol from personal care and household cleaning products lead to new cases of contact allergy and induce clinical symptoms for those already sensitized. We estimate that this exposure results yearly in 34 new cases of geraniol contact allergy per million consumers in Western and Northern Europe, mainly due to exposure to household cleaning products. About twice as many consumers (60 per million) are projected to suffer from clinical symptoms due to re-exposure to geraniol. Policy measures restricting geraniol concentrations to <0.01% will noticeably reduce new cases of sensitization and decrease the number of people with clinical symptoms as well as the frequency of occurrence of these clinical symptoms. The estimated numbers should be interpreted with caution and provide only a rough indication of the health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- W P Jongeneel
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - J E Delmaar
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - B G H Bokkers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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17
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Paladino O, Seyedsalehi M, Massabò M. Probabilistic risk assessment of nitrate groundwater contamination from greenhouses in Albenga plain (Liguria, Italy) using lysimeters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 634:427-438. [PMID: 29631133 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The use of fertilizers in greenhouse-grown crops can pose a threat to groundwater quality and, consequently, to human beings and subterranean ecosystem, where intensive farming produces pollutants leaching. Albenga plain (Liguria, Italy) is an alluvial area of about 45km2 historically devoted to farming. Recently the crops have evolved to greenhouses horticulture and floriculture production. In the area high levels of nitrates in groundwater have been detected. Lysimeters with three types of reconstituted soils (loamy sand, sandy clay loam and sandy loam) collected from different areas of Albenga plain were used in this study to evaluate the leaching loss of nitrate (NO3-) over a period of 12weeks. Leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was selected as a representative green-grown crop. Each of the soil samples was treated with a slow release fertilizer, simulating the real fertilizing strategy of the tillage. In order to estimate the potential risk for aquifers as well as for organisms exposed via pore water, nitrate concentrations in groundwater were evaluated by applying a simplified attenuation model to the experimental data. Results were refined and extended from comparison of single effects and exposure values (Tier I level) up to the evaluation of probabilistic distributions of exposure and related effects (Tier II, III IV levels). HHRA suggested HI >1 and about 20% probability of exceeding RfD for all the greenhouses, regardless of the soil. ERA suggested HQ>100 for all the greenhouses; 93% probability of PNEC exceedance for greenhouses containing sand clay loam. The probability of exceeding LC50 for 5% of the species was about 40% and the probability corresponding to DBQ of DEC/EC50>0.001 was >90% for all the greenhouses. The significantly high risk, related to the detected nitrate leaching loss, can be attributed to excessive and inappropriate fertigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ombretta Paladino
- Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Università di Genova, Via Opera Pia 15, Genova, 16145, Italy.
| | | | - Marco Massabò
- Cima Research Foundation, International Centre on Environmental Monitoring, University Campus, via A. Magliotto 2, Savona 17100, Italy
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Hristozov D, Pizzol L, Basei G, Zabeo A, Mackevica A, Hansen SF, Gosens I, Cassee FR, de Jong W, Koivisto AJ, Neubauer N, Sanchez Jimenez A, Semenzin E, Subramanian V, Fransman W, Jensen KA, Wohlleben W, Stone V, Marcomini A. Quantitative human health risk assessment along the lifecycle of nano-scale copper-based wood preservatives. Nanotoxicology 2018; 12:747-765. [PMID: 29893192 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2018.1472314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The use of nano-scale copper oxide (CuO) and basic copper carbonate (Cu2(OH)2CO3) in both ionic and micronized wood preservatives has raised concerns about the potential of these substances to cause adverse humans health effects. To address these concerns, we performed quantitative (probabilistic) human health risk assessment (HHRA) along the lifecycles of these formulations used in antibacterial and antifungal wood coatings and impregnations by means of the EU FP7 SUN project's Decision Support System (SUNDS, www.sunds.gd). The results from the risk analysis revealed inhalation risks from CuO in exposure scenarios involving workers handling dry powders and performing sanding operations as well as potential ingestion risks for children exposed to nano Cu2(OH)2CO3 in a scenario involving hand-to-mouth transfer of the substance released from impregnated wood. There are, however, substantial uncertainties in these results, so some of the identified risks may stem from the safety margin of extrapolation to fill data gaps and might be resolved by additional testing. Our stochastic approach successfully communicated the contribution of different sources of uncertainty in the risk assessment. The main source of uncertainty was the extrapolation from short to long-term exposure, which was necessary due to the lack of (sub)chronic in vivo studies with CuO and Cu2(OH)2CO3. Considerable uncertainties also stemmed from the use of default inter- and intra-species extrapolation factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danail Hristozov
- a Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics , University Ca' Foscari , Venice , Italy.,b Greendecision Srl , Venice , Italy
| | - Lisa Pizzol
- a Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics , University Ca' Foscari , Venice , Italy.,b Greendecision Srl , Venice , Italy
| | - Gianpietro Basei
- a Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics , University Ca' Foscari , Venice , Italy
| | - Alex Zabeo
- a Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics , University Ca' Foscari , Venice , Italy.,b Greendecision Srl , Venice , Italy
| | - Aiga Mackevica
- c Department of Environmental Engineering , Technical University of Denmark , Kongens Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Steffen Foss Hansen
- c Department of Environmental Engineering , Technical University of Denmark , Kongens Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Ilse Gosens
- d National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , Bilthoven , Netherlands
| | - Flemming R Cassee
- d National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , Bilthoven , Netherlands.,e Institute of Risk Assessment Studies , Utrecht University , Netherlands
| | - Wim de Jong
- d National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , Bilthoven , Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Elena Semenzin
- a Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics , University Ca' Foscari , Venice , Italy
| | - Vrishali Subramanian
- a Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics , University Ca' Foscari , Venice , Italy
| | - Wouter Fransman
- i Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO , Zeist , Netherlands
| | - Keld Alstrup Jensen
- f National Research Centre for the Working Environment , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Wendel Wohlleben
- f National Research Centre for the Working Environment , Copenhagen , Denmark.,g BASF SE , Ludwigshafen , Germany
| | - Vicki Stone
- j School of Life Sciences, Nanosafety Research Group , Heriot-Watt University , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Antonio Marcomini
- a Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics , University Ca' Foscari , Venice , Italy
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Chiu WA, Axelrad DA, Dalaijamts C, Dockins C, Shao K, Shapiro AJ, Paoli G. Beyond the RfD: Broad Application of a Probabilistic Approach to Improve Chemical Dose-Response Assessments for Noncancer Effects. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:067009. [PMID: 29968566 PMCID: PMC6084844 DOI: 10.1289/ehp3368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The National Academies recommended risk assessments redefine the traditional noncancer Reference Dose (RfD) as a probabilistically derived risk-specific dose, a framework for which was recently developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). OBJECTIVES Our aim was to assess the feasibility and implications of replacing traditional RfDs with probabilistic estimates of the human dose associated with an effect magnitude M and population incidence I (HDMI). METHODS We created a comprehensive, curated database of RfDs derived from animal data and developed a standardized, automated, web-accessible probabilistic dose-response workflow implementing the WHO framework. RESULTS We identified 1,464 RfDs and associated endpoints, representing 608 chemicals across many types of effects. Applying our standardized workflow resulted in 1,522 HDMI values. Traditional RfDs are generally within an order of magnitude of the HDMI lower confidence bound for I=1% and M values commonly used for benchmark doses. The greatest contributor to uncertainty was lack of benchmark dose estimates, followed by uncertainty in the extent of human variability. Exposure at the traditional RfD frequently implies an upper 95% confidence bound of several percent of the population affected. Whether such incidences are considered acceptable is likely to vary by chemical and risk context, especially given the wide range of severity of the associated effects, from clinical chemistry to mortality. CONCLUSIONS Overall, replacing RfDs with HDMI estimates can provide a more consistent, scientifically rigorous, and transparent basis for risk management decisions, as well as support additional decision contexts such as economic benefit-cost analysis, risk-risk tradeoffs, life-cycle impact analysis, and emergency response. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3368.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihsueh A Chiu
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel A Axelrad
- Office of Policy (1809T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Chimeddulam Dalaijamts
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Chris Dockins
- Office of Policy (1809T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kan Shao
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University School of Public-Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Andrew J Shapiro
- National Toxicology Program, National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Greg Paoli
- Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Bokkers BGH, Mengelers MJ, Bakker MI, Chiu WA, Slob W. APROBA-Plus: A probabilistic tool to evaluate and express uncertainty in hazard characterization and exposure assessment of substances. Food Chem Toxicol 2017; 110:408-417. [PMID: 29074418 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To facilitate the application of probabilistic risk assessment, the WHO released the APROBA tool. This tool applies lognormal uncertainty distributions to the different aspects of the hazard characterization, resulting in a probabilistic health-based guidance value. The current paper describes an extension, APROBA-Plus, which combines the output from the probabilistic hazard characterization with the probabilistic exposure to rapidly characterize risk and its uncertainty. The uncertainty in exposure is graphically compared with the uncertainty in the target human dose, i.e. the dose that complies with the specified protection goals. APROBA-Plus is applied to several case studies, resulting in distinct outcomes and illustrating that APROBA-Plus could serve as a standard extension of routine risk assessments. By visualizing the uncertainties, APROBA-Plus provides a more transparent and informative outcome than the more usual deterministic approaches, so that risk managers can make better informed decisions. For example, APROBA-Plus can help in deciding whether risk-reducing measures are warranted or that a refined risk assessment would first be needed. If the latter, the tool can be used to prioritize possible refinements. APROBA-Plus may also be used to rank substances into different risk categories, based on potential health risks without being compromised by different levels of conservatism that may be associated with point estimates of risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bas G H Bokkers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Marcel J Mengelers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Martine I Bakker
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Weihsueh A Chiu
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Wout Slob
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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21
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Bil W, Schuur A, Ezendam J, Bokkers B. Probabilistic derivation of the interspecies assessment factor for skin sensitization. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2017; 88:34-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Fransman W, Buist H, Kuijpers E, Walser T, Meyer D, Zondervan-van den Beuken E, Westerhout J, Klein Entink RH, Brouwer DH. Comparative Human Health Impact Assessment of Engineered Nanomaterials in the Framework of Life Cycle Assessment. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2017; 37:1358-1374. [PMID: 27664001 DOI: 10.1111/risa.12703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
For safe innovation, knowledge on potential human health impacts is essential. Ideally, these impacts are considered within a larger life-cycle-based context to support sustainable development of new applications and products. A methodological framework that accounts for human health impacts caused by inhalation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in an indoor air environment has been previously developed. The objectives of this study are as follows: (i) evaluate the feasibility of applying the CF framework for NP exposure in the workplace based on currently available data; and (ii) supplement any resulting knowledge gaps with methods and data from the life cycle approach and human risk assessment (LICARA) project to develop a modified case-specific version of the framework that will enable near-term inclusion of NP human health impacts in life cycle assessment (LCA) using a case study involving nanoscale titanium dioxide (nanoTiO2 ). The intent is to enhance typical LCA with elements of regulatory risk assessment, including its more detailed measure of uncertainty. The proof-of-principle demonstration of the framework highlighted the lack of available data for both the workplace emissions and human health effects of ENMs that is needed to calculate generalizable characterization factors using common human health impact assessment practices in LCA. The alternative approach of using intake fractions derived from workplace air concentration measurements and effect factors based on best-available toxicity data supported the current case-by-case approach for assessing the human health life cycle impacts of ENMs. Ultimately, the proposed framework and calculations demonstrate the potential utility of integrating elements of risk assessment with LCA for ENMs once the data are available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tobias Walser
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Risk Assessment of Chemicals, Federal Office of Public Health, Berne, Switzerland
| | - David Meyer
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Prichystalova R, Fini JB, Trasande L, Bellanger M, Demeneix B, Maxim L. Comparison of methods for calculating the health costs of endocrine disrupters: a case study on triclosan. Environ Health 2017; 16:55. [PMID: 28599657 PMCID: PMC5466740 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-017-0265-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socioeconomic analysis is currently used in the Europe Union as part of the regulatory process in Regulation Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH), with the aim of assessing and managing risks from dangerous chemicals. The political impact of the socio-economic analysis is potentially high in the authorisation and restriction procedures, however, current socio-economic analysis dossiers submitted under REACH are very heterogeneous in terms of methodology used and quality. Furthermore, the economic literature is not very helpful for regulatory purposes, as most published calculations of health costs associated with chemical exposures use epidemiological studies as input data, but such studies are rarely available for most substances. The quasi-totality of the data used in the REACH dossiers comes from toxicological studies. METHODS This paper assesses the use of the integrated probabilistic risk assessment, based on toxicological data, for the calculation of health costs associated with endocrine disrupting effects of triclosan. The results are compared with those obtained using the population attributable fraction, based on epidemiological data. RESULTS The results based on the integrated probabilistic risk assessment indicated that 4894 men could have reproductive deficits based on the decreased vas deferens weights observed in rats, 0 cases of changed T3 levels, and 0 cases of girls with early pubertal development. The results obtained with the Population Attributable Fraction method showed 7,199,228 cases of obesity per year, 281,923 girls per year with early pubertal development and 88,957 to 303,759 cases per year with increased total T3 hormone levels. The economic costs associated with increased BMI due to TCS exposure could be calculated. Direct health costs were estimated at €5.8 billion per year. CONCLUSIONS The two methods give very different results for the same effects. The choice of a toxicological-based or an epidemiological-based method in the socio-economic analysis will therefore significantly impact the estimated health costs and consequently the political risk management decision. Additional work should be done for understanding the reasons of these significant differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radka Prichystalova
- Institut des Sciences de la Communication (UMS 3665), CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)/Université Paris Sorbonne/UPMC (Université Pierre et Marie Curie), 20 rue Berbier du Mets, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Fini
- Sorbonne Universités, CNRS UMR 7221, RDDM, Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, 403 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Martine Bellanger
- School of Public Health, University Sorbonne Paris Cité, EA7348 MOS, Paris, France
| | - Barbara Demeneix
- Sorbonne Universités, CNRS UMR 7221, RDDM, Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Laura Maxim
- Institut des Sciences de la Communication (UMS 3665), CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)/Université Paris Sorbonne/UPMC (Université Pierre et Marie Curie), 20 rue Berbier du Mets, 75013 Paris, France
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Pang C, Hristozov D, Zabeo A, Pizzol L, Tsang MP, Sayre P, Marcomini A. Probabilistic approach for assessing infants' health risks due to ingestion of nanoscale silver released from consumer products. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 99:199-207. [PMID: 27894512 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (n-Ag) are widely used in consumer products and many medical applications because of their unique antibacterial properties. Their use is raising concern about potential human exposures and health effects. Therefore, it is informative to assess the potential human health risks of n-Ag in order to ensure that nanotechnology-based consumer products are deployed in a safe and sustainable way. Even though toxicity studies clearly show the potential hazard of n-Ag, there have been few attempts to integrate hazard and exposure assessments to evaluate risks. The underlying reason for this is the difficulty in characterizing exposure and the lack of toxicity studies essential for human health risk assessment (HHRA). Such data gaps introduce significant uncertainty into the risk assessment process. This study uses probabilistic methods to assess the relative uncertainty and potential risks of n-Ag exposure to infants. In this paper, we estimate the risks for infants potentially exposed to n-Ag through drinking juice or milk from sippy cups or licking baby blankets containing n-Ag. We explicitly evaluate uncertainty and variability contained in available dose-response and exposure data in order to make the risk characterization process transparent. Our results showed that individual margin of exposures for oral exposure to sippy cups and baby blankets containing n-Ag exhibited minimal risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengfang Pang
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy
| | - Danail Hristozov
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy; Green Decision Srl, Italy
| | - Alex Zabeo
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy; Green Decision Srl, Italy
| | - Lisa Pizzol
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy; Green Decision Srl, Italy
| | - Michael P Tsang
- University of Bordeaux, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France; CNRS, University of Bordeaux, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - Phil Sayre
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, United States
| | - Antonio Marcomini
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy.
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25
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Hardy A, Benford D, Halldorsson T, Jeger MJ, Knutsen KH, More S, Mortensen A, Naegeli H, Noteborn H, Ockleford C, Ricci A, Rychen G, Silano V, Solecki R, Turck D, Aerts M, Bodin L, Davis A, Edler L, Gundert-Remy U, Sand S, Slob W, Bottex B, Abrahantes JC, Marques DC, Kass G, Schlatter JR. Update: use of the benchmark dose approach in risk assessment. EFSA J 2017; 15:e04658. [PMID: 32625254 PMCID: PMC7009819 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Scientific Committee (SC) reconfirms that the benchmark dose (BMD) approach is a scientifically more advanced method compared to the NOAEL approach for deriving a Reference Point (RP). Most of the modifications made to the SC guidance of 2009 concern the section providing guidance on how to apply the BMD approach. Model averaging is recommended as the preferred method for calculating the BMD confidence interval, while acknowledging that the respective tools are still under development and may not be easily accessible to all. Therefore, selecting or rejecting models is still considered as a suboptimal alternative. The set of default models to be used for BMD analysis has been reviewed, and the Akaike information criterion (AIC) has been introduced instead of the log-likelihood to characterise the goodness of fit of different mathematical models to a dose-response data set. A flowchart has also been inserted in this update to guide the reader step-by-step when performing a BMD analysis, as well as a chapter on the distributional part of dose-response models and a template for reporting a BMD analysis in a complete and transparent manner. Finally, it is recommended to always report the BMD confidence interval rather than the value of the BMD. The lower bound (BMDL) is needed as a potential RP, and the upper bound (BMDU) is needed for establishing the BMDU/BMDL per ratio reflecting the uncertainty in the BMD estimate. This updated guidance does not call for a general re-evaluation of previous assessments where the NOAEL approach or the BMD approach as described in the 2009 SC guidance was used, in particular when the exposure is clearly smaller (e.g. more than one order of magnitude) than the health-based guidance value. Finally, the SC firmly reiterates to reconsider test guidelines given the expected wide application of the BMD approach.
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26
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Jacobs R, Meesters JAJ, Ter Braak CJF, van de Meent D, van der Voet H. Combining exposure and effect modeling into an integrated probabilistic environmental risk assessment for nanoparticles. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2016; 35:2958-2967. [PMID: 27146724 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing need for good environmental risk assessment of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). Environmental risk assessment of ENPs has been hampered by lack of data and knowledge about ENPs, their environmental fate, and their toxicity. This leads to uncertainty in the risk assessment. To deal with uncertainty in the risk assessment effectively, probabilistic methods are advantageous. In the present study, the authors developed a method to model both the variability and the uncertainty in environmental risk assessment of ENPs. This method is based on the concentration ratio and the ratio of the exposure concentration to the critical effect concentration, both considered to be random. In this method, variability and uncertainty are modeled separately so as to allow the user to see which part of the total variation in the concentration ratio is attributable to uncertainty and which part is attributable to variability. The authors illustrate the use of the method with a simplified aquatic risk assessment of nano-titanium dioxide. The authors' method allows a more transparent risk assessment and can also direct further environmental and toxicological research to the areas in which it is most needed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2958-2967. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne Jacobs
- Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes A J Meesters
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cajo J F Ter Braak
- Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dik van de Meent
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hilko van der Voet
- Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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27
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Zhang H, Nie Y, Zhang S, Wang WZ, Li H, Wang F, Lv X, Chen Z. Monitoring and probabilistic risk assessment of chlorothalonil residues in vegetables from Shandong province (China). Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2016; 80:41-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Oldenkamp R, Huijbregts MAJ, Ragas AMJ. Uncertainty and variability in human exposure limits - a chemical-specific approach for ciprofloxacin and methotrexate. Crit Rev Toxicol 2015; 46:261-78. [PMID: 26648512 DOI: 10.3109/10408444.2015.1112768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Human exposure limits (HELs) for chemicals with a toxicological threshold are traditionally derived using default assessment factors that account for variations in exposure duration, species sensitivity and individual sensitivity. The present paper elaborates a probabilistic approach for human hazard characterization and the derivation of HELs. It extends the framework for evaluating and expressing uncertainty in hazard characterization recently proposed by WHO-IPCS, i.e. by the incorporation of chemical-specific data on human variability in toxicokinetics. The incorporation of human variability in toxicodynamics was based on the variation between adverse outcome pathways (AOPs). Furthermore, sources of interindividual variability and uncertainty are propagated separately throughout the derivation process. The outcome is a two-dimensional human dose distribution that quantifies the population fraction exceeding a pre-selected critical effect level with an estimate of the associated uncertainty. This enables policy makers to set separate standards for the fraction of the population to be protected and the confidence level of the assessment. The main sources of uncertainty in the human dose distribution can be identified in order to plan new research for reducing uncertainty. Additionally, the approach enables quantification of the relative risk for specific subpopulations. The approach is demonstrated for two pharmaceuticals, i.e. the antibiotic ciprofloxacin and the antineoplastic methotrexate. For both substances, the probabilistic HEL is mainly influenced by uncertainty originating from: (1) the point of departure (PoD), (2) extrapolation from sub-acute to chronic toxicity and (3) interspecies extrapolation. However, when assessing the tails of the two-dimensional human dose distributions, i.e. the section relevant for the derivation of human exposure limits, interindividual variability in toxicodynamics also becomes important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rik Oldenkamp
- a Department of Environmental Science , Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University Nijmegen , Nijmegen , The Netherlands
| | - Mark A J Huijbregts
- a Department of Environmental Science , Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University Nijmegen , Nijmegen , The Netherlands
| | - Ad M J Ragas
- a Department of Environmental Science , Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University Nijmegen , Nijmegen , The Netherlands
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29
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Gibb H, Devleesschauwer B, Bolger PM, Wu F, Ezendam J, Cliff J, Zeilmaker M, Verger P, Pitt J, Baines J, Adegoke G, Afshari R, Liu Y, Bokkers B, van Loveren H, Mengelers M, Brandon E, Havelaar AH, Bellinger D. World Health Organization estimates of the global and regional disease burden of four foodborne chemical toxins, 2010: a data synthesis. F1000Res 2015; 4:1393. [PMID: 26918123 PMCID: PMC4755404 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.7340.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chemical exposures have been associated with a variety of health effects; however, little is known about the global disease burden from foodborne chemicals. Food can be a major pathway for the general population's exposure to chemicals, and for some chemicals, it accounts for almost 100% of exposure. Methods and Findings Groups of foodborne chemicals, both natural and anthropogenic, were evaluated for their ability to contribute to the burden of disease. The results of the analyses on four chemicals are presented here - cyanide in cassava, peanut allergen, aflatoxin, and dioxin. Systematic reviews of the literature were conducted to develop age- and sex-specific disease incidence and mortality estimates due to these chemicals. From these estimates, the numbers of cases, deaths and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated. For these four chemicals combined, the total number of illnesses, deaths, and DALYs in 2010 is estimated to be 339,000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 186,000-1,239,000); 20,000 (95% UI: 8,000-52,000); and 1,012,000 (95% UI: 562,000-2,822,000), respectively. Both cyanide in cassava and aflatoxin are associated with diseases with high case-fatality ratios. Virtually all human exposure to these four chemicals is through the food supply. Conclusion Chemicals in the food supply, as evidenced by the results for only four chemicals, can have a significant impact on the global burden of disease. The case-fatality rates for these four chemicals range from low (e.g., peanut allergen) to extremely high (aflatoxin and liver cancer). The effects associated with these four chemicals are neurologic (cyanide in cassava), cancer (aflatoxin), allergic response (peanut allergen), endocrine (dioxin), and reproductive (dioxin).
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Gibb
- Gibb Epidemiology Consulting LLC, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Brecht Devleesschauwer
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Emerging Pathogens Institute and Animal Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - P. Michael Bolger
- Exponent, Center for Chemical Regulation and Food Safety, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Felicia Wu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Janine Ezendam
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Julie Cliff
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Marco Zeilmaker
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Philippe Verger
- Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - John Pitt
- CSIRO Food and Nutrition Flagship, North Ryde, Australia
| | - Janis Baines
- Food Data Analysis Section, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Canberra, Australia
| | - Gabriel Adegoke
- Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Reza Afshari
- Environmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yan Liu
- INTERTEK, Oak Brook, IL, USA
| | - Bas Bokkers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Henk van Loveren
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Marcel Mengelers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Esther Brandon
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Arie H. Havelaar
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
- Emerging Pathogens Institute and Animal Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - David Bellinger
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Chiu WA, Slob W. A Unified Probabilistic Framework for Dose-Response Assessment of Human Health Effects. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2015; 123:1241-54. [PMID: 26006063 PMCID: PMC4671238 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1409385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When chemical health hazards have been identified, probabilistic dose-response assessment ("hazard characterization") quantifies uncertainty and/or variability in toxicity as a function of human exposure. Existing probabilistic approaches differ for different types of endpoints or modes-of-action, lacking a unifying framework. OBJECTIVES We developed a unified framework for probabilistic dose-response assessment. METHODS We established a framework based on four principles: a) individual and population dose responses are distinct; b) dose-response relationships for all (including quantal) endpoints can be recast as relating to an underlying continuous measure of response at the individual level; c) for effects relevant to humans, "effect metrics" can be specified to define "toxicologically equivalent" sizes for this underlying individual response; and d) dose-response assessment requires making adjustments and accounting for uncertainty and variability. We then derived a step-by-step probabilistic approach for dose-response assessment of animal toxicology data similar to how nonprobabilistic reference doses are derived, illustrating the approach with example non-cancer and cancer datasets. RESULTS Probabilistically derived exposure limits are based on estimating a "target human dose" (HDMI), which requires risk management-informed choices for the magnitude (M) of individual effect being protected against, the remaining incidence (I) of individuals with effects ≥ M in the population, and the percent confidence. In the example datasets, probabilistically derived 90% confidence intervals for HDMI values span a 40- to 60-fold range, where I = 1% of the population experiences ≥ M = 1%-10% effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS Although some implementation challenges remain, this unified probabilistic framework can provide substantially more complete and transparent characterization of chemical hazards and support better-informed risk management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihsueh A Chiu
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
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31
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Fachehoun RC, Lévesque B, Dumas P, St-Louis A, Dubé M, Ayotte P. Lead exposure through consumption of big game meat in Quebec, Canada: risk assessment and perception. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2015; 32:1501-11. [DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2015.1071921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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32
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Jacobs R, van der Voet H, ter Braak CJF. Integrated probabilistic risk assessment for nanoparticles: the case of nanosilica in food. JOURNAL OF NANOPARTICLE RESEARCH : AN INTERDISCIPLINARY FORUM FOR NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2015; 17:251. [PMID: 26074726 PMCID: PMC4457916 DOI: 10.1007/s11051-015-2911-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Insight into risks of nanotechnology and the use of nanoparticles is an essential condition for the social acceptance and safe use of nanotechnology. One of the problems with which the risk assessment of nanoparticles is faced is the lack of data, resulting in uncertainty in the risk assessment. We attempt to quantify some of this uncertainty by expanding a previous deterministic study on nanosilica (5-200 nm) in food into a fully integrated probabilistic risk assessment. We use the integrated probabilistic risk assessment method in which statistical distributions and bootstrap methods are used to quantify uncertainty and variability in the risk assessment. Due to the large amount of uncertainty present, this probabilistic method, which separates variability from uncertainty, contributed to a better understandable risk assessment. We found that quantifying the uncertainties did not increase the perceived risk relative to the outcome of the deterministic study. We pinpointed particular aspects of the hazard characterization that contributed most to the total uncertainty in the risk assessment, suggesting that further research would benefit most from obtaining more reliable data on those aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne Jacobs
- Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AC Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hilko van der Voet
- Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AC Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cajo J. F. ter Braak
- Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AC Wageningen, The Netherlands
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van der Voet H, de Boer WJ, Kruisselbrink JW, Goedhart PW, van der Heijden GW, Kennedy MC, Boon PE, van Klaveren JD. The MCRA model for probabilistic single-compound and cumulative risk assessment of pesticides. Food Chem Toxicol 2015; 79:5-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2014.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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New approaches to uncertainty analysis for use in aggregate and cumulative risk assessment of pesticides. Food Chem Toxicol 2015; 79:54-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2015.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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35
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Béchaux C, Zeilmaker M, Merlo M, Bokkers B, Crépet A. An integrative risk assessment approach for persistent chemicals: A case study on dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in France. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2014; 70:261-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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36
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Slob W, Bakker MI, Biesebeek JDT, Bokkers BGH. Exploring the uncertainties in cancer risk assessment using the integrated probabilistic risk assessment (IPRA) approach. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2014; 34:1401-1422. [PMID: 24766324 DOI: 10.1111/risa.12194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Current methods for cancer risk assessment result in single values, without any quantitative information on the uncertainties in these values. Therefore, single risk values could easily be overinterpreted. In this study, we discuss a full probabilistic cancer risk assessment approach in which all the generally recognized uncertainties in both exposure and hazard assessment are quantitatively characterized and probabilistically evaluated, resulting in a confidence interval for the final risk estimate. The methodology is applied to three example chemicals (aflatoxin, N-nitrosodimethylamine, and methyleugenol). These examples illustrate that the uncertainty in a cancer risk estimate may be huge, making single value estimates of cancer risk meaningless. Further, a risk based on linear extrapolation tends to be lower than the upper 95% confidence limit of a probabilistic risk estimate, and in that sense it is not conservative. Our conceptual analysis showed that there are two possible basic approaches for cancer risk assessment, depending on the interpretation of the dose-incidence data measured in animals. However, it remains unclear which of the two interpretations is the more adequate one, adding an additional uncertainty to the already huge confidence intervals for cancer risk estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wout Slob
- RIVM, Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services (VPZ)/Food Safety (VVH)
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37
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Exposure method development for risk assessment to cosmetic products using a standard composition. Food Chem Toxicol 2014; 68:108-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2014.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Revised: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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38
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Jin Y, Liu P, Sun J, Wang C, Min J, Zhang Y, Wang S, Wu Y. Dietary exposure and risk assessment to lead of the population of Jiangsu province, China. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2014; 31:1187-95. [PMID: 24806453 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2014.918283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The paper's main purpose is to estimate the dietary exposure to lead for the inhabitants of Jiangsu province, China. Lead concentration data were obtained from the national food contamination monitoring programme during 2007-10. Food samples (n = 2077) were collected from 23 food categories in Jiangsu province. Consumption data were derived from Chinese national nutrition and health survey in 2002, which included 3938 inhabitants from 1451 households in Jiangsu province. Concentration data were combined with consumption data to estimate the dietary intake for the inhabitants of 2-6, 7-17 and 18-80 years, respectively. The β-binomial-normal (BBN) model was used to estimate the long-term intake for the population in Jiangsu province. The distribution of individual margin of exposure (IMoE) was introduced to assess the health effect. Uncertainty of IMoE was quantified by Monte Carlo and bootstrap methods. The mean levels of dietary exposure to lead were estimated at 3.019 µg kg(-1) bw day(-1) for children aged 2-6 years, 2.104 µg kg(-1) bw day(-1) for teenagers aged 7-17 years, and 1.601 µg kg(-1) bw day(-1) for adults aged 18-80 years. The mean intakes for the urban and rural populations were 1.494 and 1.822 µg kg(-1) bw day(-1), respectively. From the 25th to 99.9th percentiles, IMoE was 0.125-2.057 for 2-6 years and 0.473-7.998 for 18-80 years, respectively. The distribution of IMoE could indicate a public health concern on lead for the Chinese population in Jiangsu. Control measures should be taken to reduce lead exposure in Jiangsu province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingliang Jin
- a Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , Southeast University , Nanjing , China
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39
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Jensen BH, Petersen A, Christiansen S, Boberg J, Axelstad M, Herrmann SS, Poulsen ME, Hass U. Probabilistic assessment of the cumulative dietary exposure of the population of Denmark to endocrine disrupting pesticides. Food Chem Toxicol 2013; 55:113-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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40
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Kalantari F, Bergkvist C, Berglund M, Fattore E, Glynn A, Håkansson H, Sand S. Establishment of the cumulative margin of exposure for a group of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners using an improved approach that accounts for both variability and uncertainty. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2013; 65:325-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2013.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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41
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Hartung T, Luechtefeld T, Maertens A, Kleensang A. Integrated testing strategies for safety assessments. ALTEX 2013; 30:3-18. [PMID: 23338803 PMCID: PMC3800026 DOI: 10.14573/altex.2013.1.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Despite the fact that toxicology uses many stand-alone tests, a systematic combination of several information sources very often is required: Examples include: when not all possible outcomes of interest (e.g., modes of action), classes of test substances (applicability domains), or severity classes of effect are covered in a single test; when the positive test result is rare (low prevalence leading to excessive false-positive results); when the gold standard test is too costly or uses too many animals, creating a need for prioritization by screening. Similarly, tests are combined when the human predictivity of a single test is not satisfactory or when existing data and evidence from various tests will be integrated. Increasingly, kinetic information also will be integrated to make an in vivo extrapolation from in vitro data. Integrated Testing Strategies (ITS) offer the solution to these problems. ITS have been discussed for more than a decade, and some attempts have been made in test guidance for regulations. Despite their obvious potential for revamping regulatory toxicology, however, we still have little guidance on the composition, validation, and adaptation of ITS for different purposes. Similarly, Weight of Evidence and Evidence-based Toxicology approaches require different pieces of evidence and test data to be weighed and combined. ITS also represent the logical way of combining pathway-based tests, as suggested in Toxicology for the 21st Century. This paper describes the state of the art of ITS and makes suggestions as to the definition, systematic combination, and quality assurance of ITS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hartung
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, CAAT, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Hart A, Hoekstra J, Owen H, Kennedy M, Zeilmaker MJ, de Jong N, Gunnlaugsdottir H. Qalibra: a general model for food risk-benefit assessment that quantifies variability and uncertainty. Food Chem Toxicol 2012; 54:4-17. [PMID: 23261673 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.11.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Revised: 11/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The EU project BRAFO proposed a framework for risk-benefit assessment of foods, or changes in diet, that present both potential risks and potential benefits to consumers (Hoekstra et al., 2012a). In higher tiers of the BRAFO framework, risks and benefits are integrated quantitatively to estimate net health impact measured in DALYs or QALYs (disability- or quality-adjusted life years). This paper describes a general model that was developed by a second EU project, Qalibra, to assist users in conducting these assessments. Its flexible design makes it applicable to a wide range of dietary questions involving different nutrients, contaminants and health effects. Account can be taken of variation between consumers in their diets and also other characteristics relevant to the estimation of risk and benefit, such as body weight, gender and age. Uncertainty in any input parameter may be quantified probabilistically, using probability distributions, or deterministically by repeating the assessment with alternative assumptions. Uncertainties that are not quantified should be evaluated qualitatively. Outputs produced by the model are illustrated using results from a simple assessment of fish consumption. More detailed case studies on oily fish and phytosterols are presented in companion papers. The model can be accessed as web-based software at www.qalibra.eu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Hart
- Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York, United Kingdom.
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43
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Application of the BRAFO-tiered approach for benefit-risk assessment to case studies on natural foods. Food Chem Toxicol 2012; 50 Suppl 4:S699-709. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2010] [Revised: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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44
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Guidance on the Use of Probabilistic Methodology for Modelling Dietary Exposure to Pesticide Residues. EFSA J 2012. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Rozell DJ, Reaven SJ. Water pollution risk associated with natural gas extraction from the Marcellus Shale. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2012; 32:1382-93. [PMID: 22211399 DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2011.01757.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, shale gas formations have become economically viable through the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. These techniques carry potential environmental risk due to their high water use and substantial risk for water pollution. Using probability bounds analysis, we assessed the likelihood of water contamination from natural gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale. Probability bounds analysis is well suited when data are sparse and parameters highly uncertain. The study model identified five pathways of water contamination: transportation spills, well casing leaks, leaks through fractured rock, drilling site discharge, and wastewater disposal. Probability boxes were generated for each pathway. The potential contamination risk and epistemic uncertainty associated with hydraulic fracturing wastewater disposal was several orders of magnitude larger than the other pathways. Even in a best-case scenario, it was very likely that an individual well would release at least 200 m³ of contaminated fluids. Because the total number of wells in the Marcellus Shale region could range into the tens of thousands, this substantial potential risk suggested that additional steps be taken to reduce the potential for contaminated fluid leaks. To reduce the considerable epistemic uncertainty, more data should be collected on the ability of industrial and municipal wastewater treatment facilities to remove contaminants from used hydraulic fracturing fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Rozell
- Department of Technology and Society, 347A Harriman Hall, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3760, USA.
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Hoekstra J, Hart A, Owen H, Zeilmaker M, Bokkers B, Thorgilsson B, Gunnlaugsdottir H. Fish, contaminants and human health: quantifying and weighing benefits and risks. Food Chem Toxicol 2012; 54:18-29. [PMID: 22269904 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2011] [Revised: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes a quantitative risk-benefit assessment of fish consumption. We compare the net health effect expressed in DALYs of two scenarios. The reference scenario is the current fish intake of the Dutch population, which is less than what is recommended by the health authorities. The alternative scenario describes the health effects if the population consumes 200g of fish per week, which is close to the recommendation. All health effects due to fish consumption for which there is convincing evidence are incorporated in the assessment. The QALIBRA software (www.qalibra.eu) is used to simulate the two scenarios. The results show there is a net benefit for the population if it consumes 200g of fish each week.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeljer Hoekstra
- National Institute of for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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47
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Tijhuis MJ, de Jong N, Pohjola MV, Gunnlaugsdóttir H, Hendriksen M, Hoekstra J, Holm F, Kalogeras N, Leino O, van Leeuwen FXR, Luteijn JM, Magnússon SH, Odekerken G, Rompelberg C, Tuomisto JT, Ueland Ø, White BC, Verhagen H. State of the art in benefit-risk analysis: food and nutrition. Food Chem Toxicol 2011; 50:5-25. [PMID: 21679741 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 04/22/2011] [Accepted: 06/01/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Benefit-risk assessment in food and nutrition is relatively new. It weighs the beneficial and adverse effects that a food (component) may have, in order to facilitate more informed management decisions regarding public health issues. It is rooted in the recognition that good food and nutrition can improve health and that some risk may be acceptable if benefit is expected to outweigh it. This paper presents an overview of current concepts and practices in benefit-risk analysis for food and nutrition. It aims to facilitate scientists and policy makers in performing, interpreting and evaluating benefit-risk assessments. Historically, the assessments of risks and benefits have been separate processes. Risk assessment is mainly addressed by toxicology, as demanded by regulation. It traditionally assumes that a maximum safe dose can be determined from experimental studies (usually in animals) and that applying appropriate uncertainty factors then defines the 'safe' intake for human populations. There is a minor role for other research traditions in risk assessment, such as epidemiology, which quantifies associations between determinants and health effects in humans. These effects can be both adverse and beneficial. Benefit assessment is newly developing in regulatory terms, but has been the subject of research for a long time within nutrition and epidemiology. The exact scope is yet to be defined. Reductions in risk can be termed benefits, but also states rising above 'the average health' are explored as benefits. In nutrition, current interest is in 'optimal' intake; from a population perspective, but also from a more individualised perspective. In current approaches to combine benefit and risk assessment, benefit assessment mirrors the traditional risk assessment paradigm of hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment and risk characterization. Benefit-risk comparison can be qualitative and quantitative. In a quantitative comparison, benefits and risks are expressed in a common currency, for which the input may be deterministic or (increasingly more) probabilistic. A tiered approach is advocated, as this allows for transparency, an early stop in the analysis and interim interaction with the decision-maker. A general problem in the disciplines underlying benefit-risk assessment is that good dose-response data, i.e. at relevant intake levels and suitable for the target population, are scarce. It is concluded that, provided it is clearly explained, benefit-risk assessment is a valuable approach to systematically show current knowledge and its gaps and to transparently provide the best possible science-based answer to complicated questions with a large potential impact on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Tijhuis
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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Magnússon SH, Gunnlaugsdóttir H, Loveren HV, Holm F, Kalogeras N, Leino O, Luteijn JM, Odekerken G, Pohjola MV, Tijhuis MJ, Tuomisto JT, Ueland Ø, White BC, Verhagen H. State of the art in benefit-risk analysis: food microbiology. Food Chem Toxicol 2011; 50:33-9. [PMID: 21679739 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 05/20/2011] [Accepted: 06/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Over the past years benefit-risk analysis (BRA) in relation to foods and food ingredients has gained much attention; in Europe and worldwide. BRA relating to food microbiology is however a relatively new field of research. Microbiological risk assessment is well defined but assessment of microbial benefits and the weighing of benefits and risk has not been systematically addressed. In this paper the state of the art in benefit-risk analysis in food microbiology is presented, with a brief overview of microbiological food safety practices. The quality and safety of foods is commonly best preserved by delaying the growth of spoilage bacteria and contamination by bacterial pathogens. However, microorganisms in food can be both harmful and beneficial. Many microorganisms are integral to various food production processes e.g. the production of beer, wine and various dairy products. Moreover, the use of some microorganisms in the production of fermented foods are often claimed to have beneficial effects on food nutrition and consumer health. Furthermore, food safety interventions leading to reduced public exposure to foodborne pathogens can be regarded as benefits. The BRA approach integrates an independent assessment of both risks and benefits and weighs the two using a common currency. Recently, a number of initiatives have been launched in the field of food and nutrition to address the formulation of the benefit-risk assessment approach. BRA has recently been advocated by EFSA for the public health management of food and food ingredients; as beneficial and adverse chemicals can often be found within the same foods and even the same ingredients. These recent developments in the scoping of BRA could be very relevant for food microbiological issues. BRA could become a valuable methodology to support evaluations and decision making regarding microbiological food safety and public health, supplementing other presently available policy making and administrative tools for microbiological food safety management.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Magnússon
- Matís, Icelandic Food and Biotech R & D, Vínlandsleið 12, 113 Reykjavík, Iceland.
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Assessment of rare dietary risks based on analysis of food combinations. Food Chem Toxicol 2011; 49:1160-6. [PMID: 21333712 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2010] [Revised: 01/14/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Probabilistic methods, in particular Monte Carlo methods, have become widely used in assessment of dietary risks from plant protection products. However, if the critical exposure occurs rarely, estimating its probability with commonly used Monte Carlo approaches can require an unrealistically big number of iterations. A simple method proposed in this paper, referred to as food combination analysis (FCA), finds out subsets of input values necessary for occurrence of a critical exposure event. In particular, for a critical event to occur consumption of a certain combination of contaminated foods could be required. Sometimes by finding the probability that such a food combination is consumed one could directly get an acceptable estimate of the risk, without Monte Carlo simulations. The method performs especially well if available data sets of consumed amounts of foods and residue concentrations of a chemical contain a large fraction of zeros. Based on a literature example, it is shown that the probability of the critical exposure estimated with the FCA could be more than 10 times lower than the estimate of a Monte Carlo approach with 50,000 iterations. The present approach also provides a platform for adaptation and development of more sophisticated methods to estimate low dietary risks.
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