Comparative Potency Approach for Estimating the Cancer Risk Associated with Exposure to Mixtures of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

摘要

A relative potency approach was developed as a method for assessing the cancer risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for which inadequate ingestion or inhalation bioassay data exist. This approach takes into account the differing potencies of carcinogenic PAHs rather than assuming that all carcinogenic PAHs are equivalent in potency to benzo(a)pyrene. A two-stage mathematical dose-response model is postulated that is consistent with the biological mechanisms of action of PAHs. The assumptions for using a two-stage model for PAH carcinogenesis are described and their experimental support presented.