A review of the use of uncertainty factors in the health risk assessment of some metals |
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Authors: | Gloria A Skowronski Abdelrazak M Kadry Mohamed S Abdel‐Rahman |
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Institution: | 1. Pharmacology &2. Toxicology Department, New Jersey Medical School , University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey , 185 South Orange Avenue, Room 1–664, Newark, NJ, 07103–2714 Phone: (201) 982–6690/6691 Fax: (201) 982–6690/6691 |
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Abstract: | Because metals can produce health risks, standards for regulating metal exposure are necessary. The purpose of this chapter is to review the application of uncertainty factors to mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. By the conventional method, uncertainty factors are often applied to animal studies to establish the reference dose (RfD) in humans. However, with the availability of a better database from improved study designs, it was demonstrated that uncertainty factors can be decreased. Incorporation of more pharmacokinetic and mechanistic data into the risk assessment process, as well as discussions between risk assessors and the research community to identify research needs are essential in reducing uncertainty factors. |
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Keywords: | uncertainty factors mercury arsenic cadmium |
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