Background
Several LRI-sponsored projects have considered the relation between external exposure and internal doses/concentrations of chemicals in humans (i.e. level and time course at the target organ or in blood plasma) to better address risks from secondary poisoning or workplace exposures. Those included the intake fraction concept (B4 - Jantunen et al), the development of toxicokinetic models to predict tissue levels and better understand internal dose response (B2.7 - Loizou et al), biological monitoring of exposure (D1.1 - Jakubowski et al, Watson et al), and two projects on the identification of relevant metabolites and their relation to human biomonitoring (HBM) results (in vitro metabolism and MoA data in combination with kinetic modelling; HBM3 - Blaauboer et al), and on the tools needed to achieve a more reliable interpretation of HBM data (tiered set of modelling tools for derivation of HBM guidance values; HBM2 - Jongeneelen et al, Bartels et al), and an ongoing project on the intra- and inter-variability of HBM spot samples (HBM4 - Smolders et al).
However, an integrated approach of predicting human internal exposure levels is still lacking. This would contribute to a more accurate risk assessment, better understanding of the contribution of different exposure routes and sources of exposure to total body burdens and to a better understanding of the impact of long-term low-level exposures to persistent chemicals. A recent IHCP [1]-ECETOC Workshop on "Exposure and Risk Assessment of Chemical Mixtures in Consumer Products" [2] also recommended research along these lines.
Objectives
The objective of this project is to develop an integrated methodology, based on modelling of fate, transport and toxicokinetics, to determine better estimates of internal exposure of different populations over the life-cycle of a substance. The results should be validated against available results of reliable HBM studies.
In a first Tier the approach could be applied to the more defined exposure situation at workplaces for substances for which biological monitoring results as well as external exposure data are available, preferably by inhalation and the dermal route. Sources of information can be the different databases developed under the HETRA LRI programme. In this context the contribution of different routes of exposure to the total body burden should be evaluated as well and if possible be related to physical chemical properties of substances.
The second Tier should consider secondary exposure of humans in particular to persistent chemicals. Existing HBM data in human plasma and breast milk could be evaluated using comparison with integrated model predictions, possibly by a combination of advanced environmental fate modelling and PBTK calculations. It should be evaluated if it is possible to differentiate between HBM results representing steady state levels and those rather reflecting an acute exposure situation by comparing time trends and modelling predictions.
Scope
It is expected that the methodology would be developed using a representative number of chemicals and would include defining applicability domains and uncertainty analysis. It is expected that the findings will be reported and published in peer reviewed publications. This project would be expected to complement ongoing European Commission (including IHCP) and other supported activities in the area. The successful research group would liaise with and take account of the findings and outcomes of such other work.
Related links
Download here the full version of the RfP LRI-B11
