An enhanced tiered toxicity testing framework with triggers for assessing hazards and risks of commodity chemicals

Abstract

This paper presents an enhanced integrated testing framework based on tiered testing and endpoint-specific decision triggers envisioned for application to commodity chemical safety assessments. The framework has two tiers in which exposure information can be integrated with hazard data at each Tier. Tier 1 tests are used to screen chemicals for major toxic effects (i.e., acute toxicity potential, target organs of repeat dose toxicity, genotoxicity potential, neurotoxicity potential, reproductive toxicity potential, immunotoxicity potential, and developmental toxicity potential), and to direct planning for more complex and targeted testing in Tier 2. The proposed decision triggers coupled with information on use and potential for exposure allow for scientifically-based decisions to be made about further testing in Tier 2, indicating which specific endpoints and tests warrant further evaluation, and which do not. The testing framework addresses risks to humans during all stages of development and provides data relevant to assessing hazards to sensitive subpopulations, such as infants and children. The REACH program in Europe and TSCA in the United States have led to an increased focus on development of hazard and risk information for chemicals used in industrial processes and consumer products. This framework and its toxicity decision triggers will allow for scientifically justified evaluation of chemicals that is comprehensive in terms of hazard screening, focuses resources on the specific complex tests that are most important for hazard characterization, and minimizes the use of animals.