Risk Assessment Specialty Section
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February 8 Webinar
Risk Assessment Specialty Section (RASS)
Monthly Webinar
“Challenges In the Application Of Quantitative Approaches In Risk Assessment:
A Case Study With Di-(2-Ethylhexyl)Phthalate”
Robinan Gentry, PhD, DABT
Principal Consultant / Senior Toxicologist
ENVIRON International Corporation
Abstract
The constantly evolving science of risk assessment is currently faced
with many challenges, not only
from the interpretation of the volume of data being generated with new
innovative technologies, but also in attempting to quantitatively
incorporate this information into understanding potential risk of
adverse events in human populations. The objective of the case study
presented was to use recent data for
di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) to investigate the impact of innovative
quantitative approaches on the risk assessment of a compound,
specifically as it can used to move towards the new vision of risk
assessment (NAS, 2007; NAS, 2009) involving the integration of the
available toxicological data to understand underlying biological
processes. What emerged were several outcomes that demonstrated clearly
the importance of the integration of the toxicological data, specifically
to understand the biological processes being impacted,
because standard statistical modeling approaches may not be adequate to
describe the dose-response relationships observed. The alternative
approaches applied to the data for DEHP demonstrate that a definitive
mode of action is not needed to justify the shape of the low-dose region
or a threshold. This is especially relevant when the integration of the
available data assist risk assessors in understanding the shape of the
dose-response curve for both noncancer and cancer endpoints. Many of the
challenges described as part of this case study would likely be
encountered with compounds other than DEHP, especially other
receptor-mediated compounds or compounds that “perturb” biological
pathways, such as endocrine disruptors. This case study also highlights
the importance of communication between risk assessors and the research
community to focus on the generation of data most relevant for assessing
the potential for chemicals to impact biological systems in the human.
The file for the presentation and presentation recording are available for download in the Downloads section of the RASS website.
Our Activities and Goals
The primary goal of RASS is to provide a forum in the world’s most prestigious toxicology organization for those interested in the theory and practice of risk assessment. Through the Society of Toxicology, we propose sessions for the Annual Meeting, exchange information via newsletters, present awards, and participate in other scientific activities. RASS provides opportunities for enhancing knowledge and recognition of current issues, challenges and tools for risk assessment as well as facilitating discussions to advance the science of risk assessment.
RASS is of interest to toxicologists who seek to enhance the use of descriptive and mechanistic studies in the broader context, such as pharmaceutical efficacy and safety testing, regulatory standard development and site-specific health risk assessment. Applications of risk assessment include physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and development of new statistical methods for dose-response and exposure assessment.
RASS On-going Activities
- Endorse state-of-the art symposia, workshops and continuing education
courses for the Annual SOT conference
- Organize teleconferences as a venue to present and discuss recent
findings related to risk assessment
- Annually award scientific contributions in the peer-reviewed literature
in the areas of Risk Assessment Applications and Advancing Risk Assessment
- Award outstanding risk assessment abstracts at the Annual SOT conference
- Award outstanding student abstracts at the Annual SOT conference
- Support Contemporary Concepts in Toxicology (CCT) Workshops
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