Permissible Concentrations of Chemicals in Air and Water Derived from RTECS Entries

摘要

Many chemicals are of concern to human health, but only a few have epidemiologically derived risk estimates. About 45,000 chemicals are listed in the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS), most of which have had some testing in subhuman models. RTECS entries range from cellular effects through organoleptic damage to lethality, with many pathological endpoints including molecular changes, irritation, teratogenesis, cancer, mortality, etc. However, it is difficult to extend test results to risk assessments. If the results are extended, the degree of validity is highly uncertain. This paper describes a logical basis for using the entire complex spectrum of test results to evaluate the overall toxicological potency of a chemical to be assayed (i.e., an interviewing chemical), and how to derive tentative permissible concentrations in air and water for any particular chemical not having regulatory guidance. This approach has been tested for 16 reference chemicals discussed in NIOSH Criteria Documents, EPA-CAG reports, etc. 37 references, 3 figures. (ERA citation 10:003350)