Probabilistic Risk Assessment - The Keystone for the Future of Toxicology

Maertens, A; Golden, E; Luechtefeld, TH; Hoffmann, S; Tsaioun, K; Hartung, T

HERO ID

10756294

Reference Type

Journal Article

Subtype

Review

Year

2022

Language

English

PMID

35034131

HERO ID 10756294
Material Type Review
In Press No
Year 2022
Title Probabilistic Risk Assessment - The Keystone for the Future of Toxicology
Authors Maertens, A; Golden, E; Luechtefeld, TH; Hoffmann, S; Tsaioun, K; Hartung, T
Journal ALTEX
Volume 39
Issue 1
Page Numbers 3-29
Abstract Safety sciences must cope with uncertainty of models and results as well as information gaps. Acknowledging this uncer-tainty necessitates embracing probabilities and accepting the remaining risk. Every toxicological tool delivers only probable results. Traditionally, this is taken into account by using uncertainty / assessment factors and worst-case / precautionary approaches and thresholds. Probabilistic methods and Bayesian approaches seek to characterize these uncertainties and promise to support better risk assessment and, thereby, improve risk management decisions. Actual assessments of uncertainty can be more realistic than worst-case scenarios and may allow less conservative safety margins. Most importantly, as soon as we agree on uncertainty, this defines room for improvement and allows a transition from traditional to new approach methods as an engineering exercise. The objective nature of these mathematical tools allows to assign each methodology its fair place in evidence integration, whether in the context of risk assessment, sys-tematic reviews, or in the definition of an integrated testing strategy (ITS) / defined approach (DA) / integrated approach to testing and assessment (IATA). This article gives an overview of methods for probabilistic risk assessment and their application for exposure assessment, physiologically-based kinetic modelling, probability of hazard assessment (based on quantitative and read-across based structure-activity relationships, and mechanistic alerts from in vitro studies), indi-vidual susceptibility assessment, and evidence integration. Additional aspects are opportunities for uncertainty analysis of adverse outcome pathways and their relation to thresholds of toxicological concern. In conclusion, probabilistic risk assessment will be key for constructing a new toxicology paradigm - probably!
Doi 10.14573/altex.2201081
Pmid 35034131
Wosid WOS:000744523900002
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Bayes Theorem; Risk Assessment; Toxicology; Uncertainty; data mining; chemicals; regulatory toxicology; safety sciences; statistics