The Role of Exposure Versus Body Burden Data in Deriving Health Guidance Values∗

Abstract

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) derives health-based guidance values to estimate daily human exposure to hazardous substances that are likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse noncancer effects for specific routes and durations of exposure. Most of these guidance values are derived from data showing external dose/health effect relationships. However, for chemicals that persist in the body, information on body burdens may provide more accurate understanding of their toxicity. This article evaluates the exposure versus body burden approaches using 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and lead as examples.

Derivation of Biomonitoring Equivalent (BE) Values for 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) and Related Compounds: A Screening Tool for Interpretation of Biomonitoring Data in a Risk Assessment Context

“…As a result, there is little uncertainty in the estimated tissue concentrations at the POD values underlying the exposure guidance values. Scientists from the ATSDR recently reviewed the use of internal dose such as body concentration for dioxin risk assessment and expressed concerns about this approach (Pohl et al, 2007). However, the concerns expressed by Pohl et al (2007) appear to be primarily directed at the uncertainties associated with prediction of external doses that would result in target internal tissue concentrations and the difficulties of reconstruction of historical exposures, not with use of internal dose as a relevant metric per se.…”

“…Scientists from the ATSDR recently reviewed the use of internal dose such as body concentration for dioxin risk assessment and expressed concerns about this approach (Pohl et al, 2007). However, the concerns expressed by Pohl et al (2007) appear to be primarily directed at the uncertainties associated with prediction of external doses that would result in target internal tissue concentrations and the difficulties of reconstruction of historical exposures, not with use of internal dose as a relevant metric per se. Because the BE approach does not seek to convert internal dose metrics to external doses, these concerns are of limited relevance to the derivation of the BE values.…”

Developing human biomonitoring as a 21st century toolbox within the European exposure science strategy 2020–2030

“…Most of the available guidance values are derived from data showing external dose/health effect relationships. However, for persistence chemicals, information on body burdens may provide a more accurate understanding of their toxicity (Pohl et al 2007).…”

Inhalation exposure or body burden? Better way of estimating risk – An application of PBPK model

“…The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) considers data regarding body burden of chemicals to be valuable and essential in tracking levels of chemicals in the environment and in human populations and also for the derivation of health-based guidance values (Pohl et al, 2007). The potential health risks (both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) from benzene exposure through inhalation can effectively be estimated from internal dose or body burden (Lovreglio et al, 2011;Bailer and Hoel, 1989).…”