Toxicity assessment of unintentional exposure to multiple chemicals

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2007 Sep 1;223(2):104-13. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2007.04.015. Epub 2007 May 22.

Abstract

Typically exposure to environmental chemicals is unintentional, and often the exposure is to chemical mixtures, either simultaneously or sequentially. When exposure occurs, in public health practice, it is prudent to ascertain if thresholds for harmful health effects are exceeded, whether by individual chemicals or by chemicals in combination. Three alternative approaches are available for assessing the toxicity of chemical mixtures. Each approach, however, has shortcomings. As the procedures of each approach are described in this paper, at various steps research needs are identified. Recently, reliance has increased on computational toxicology methods for predicting toxicological effects when data are limited. Advances in molecular biology, identification of biomarkers, and availability of accurate and sensitive methods allow us to more precisely define the relationships between multiple chemical exposures and health effects, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Key research needs are best fulfilled through collaborative research. It is through such collaborations that resources are most effectively leveraged to further develop and apply toxicity assessment methods that advance public health practices in vulnerable communities.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computational Biology
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis*
  • Environmental Exposure / prevention & control
  • Hazardous Substances / analysis*
  • Hazardous Substances / poisoning
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Systems Integration
  • Toxicology / methods*
  • Toxicology / trends

Substances

  • Hazardous Substances