High-Throughput Exposure Assessment Tool (HEAT) for exposure-based prioritization of chemicals

Abstract

High-throughput methods are now routinely used to rapidly screen chemicals for potential hazard. However, hazard-based decision-making excludes important exposure considerations resulting in an incomplete estimation of chemical safety. Models to estimate exposure exist, but are generally unsuited to keep up with high-throughput demands. The High-Throughput Exposure Assessment Tool (HEAT) is designed to efficiently predict near-field exposure to consumers and workers via inhalation, oral and dermal routes. HEAT is based on well-known modeling algorithms and provides default model parameters to support reasonably conservative exposure estimates. Underlying chemical-specific data are uploaded or entered by the end user. HEAT’s main strength is the flexible tiered screening functionality, which enables exposure estimates for single or multiple chemicals simultaneously. Hypothetical case examples highlighting the application of HEAT to more complex exposure estimates for alternative and aggregate assessments are provided.