A decision analytic approach to exposure-based chemical prioritization

PLoS One. 2013 Aug 5;8(8):e70911. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070911. Print 2013.

Abstract

The manufacture of novel synthetic chemicals has increased in volume and variety, but often the environmental and health risks are not fully understood in terms of toxicity and, in particular, exposure. While efforts to assess risks have generally been effective when sufficient data are available, the hazard and exposure data necessary to assess risks adequately are unavailable for the vast majority of chemicals in commerce. The US Environmental Protection Agency has initiated the ExpoCast Program to develop tools for rapid chemical evaluation based on potential for exposure. In this context, a model is presented in which chemicals are evaluated based on inherent chemical properties and behaviorally-based usage characteristics over the chemical's life cycle. These criteria are assessed and integrated within a decision analytic framework, facilitating rapid assessment and prioritization for future targeted testing and systems modeling. A case study outlines the prioritization process using 51 chemicals. The results show a preliminary relative ranking of chemicals based on exposure potential. The strength of this approach is the ability to integrate relevant statistical and mechanistic data with expert judgment, allowing for an initial tier assessment that can further inform targeted testing and risk management strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Decision Support Techniques*
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Environmental Pollutants / classification*
  • Environmental Pollutants / pharmacokinetics
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity
  • Half-Life
  • Hazardous Substances / classification*
  • Hazardous Substances / pharmacokinetics
  • Hazardous Substances / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Risk Assessment

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Hazardous Substances

Grants and funding

The United States Environmental Protection Agency through its Office of Research and Development (funded and managed or partially funded and collaborated in) the research described here under an Interagency Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (DW-96-95807601-0). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.