Epidemiology and quantitative risk assessment: A bridge from science to policy

I. Hertz-Picciotto, D. Wartenberg and R. Simon

American Journal of Public Health, 1995, vol. 85, issue 4, 484-493

Abstract: Quantitative risk assessment provides formalized scientific input to regulatory agencies that set occupational and environmental standards for potentially toxic exposures. Current practice relies heavily on statistical extrapolation from high-dose animal studies. Human data obviate the need for interspecies extrapolation and reduce the range of high-to-low dose extrapolation. This paper proposes a framework for classifying individual epidemiologic studies as to their adequacy for use in dose-response extrapolation. The framework considers five criteria: (1) a stable positive association with an adverse health outcome; (2) high overall study quality; (3) no substantial confounding; (4) quantitative exposure assessment for individuals; (5) evidence of a dose-response relationship. With these criteria, studies can he categorized as (1) suitable to serve as a basis for extrapolation; (2) inadequate to he the basis for direct extrapolation but appropriate to use for evaluating the plausibility of animal-derived risk estimates; or (3) useful only for hazard identification, not for dose- response assessment. Methods for using studies in the first two categories are briefly described. The emphasis is not on establishing rigid rules, but rather on ensuring a consistent, reliable process that makes optimum use of available data.

Date: 1995
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1995:85:4:484-493_8

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