B16-TNO: External validation of Tier-1 workers dermal exposure estimates in ECETOC TRA

Description

As indicated in the Invitation to Tender, the objective of the proposed project is to obtain a set of dermal exposure estimates aligned with PROCs suitable for Tier-1 chemical safety estimates. According to the tender document, the worker dermal exposure estimates are to meet the following four sub-objectives:

1. Demonstrate no exposure underestimation for substances hazardous via the dermal route;
2. Provide a reliable, conservative prediction of potential and actual dermal exposure;
3. Avoid inaccurate exposure estimates which could otherwise lead to inappropriate control advice;
4. Indicate situations where a lack of measured data constrains any ability to draw conclusions.

The scope of the requested work is an independent validation based on available literature and study reports. No new experimental work is foreseen.

As requested in the tender document, our project takes into account the following challenges:

• Dermal exposure assessment is not standardized and is compounded by differences in monitoring methods, sampling position, timing of sampling, fate of substance deposited on the skin;
• Reliable, representative measurement data are not available for the vast majority of substance/application combinations;
• There is a need for simplified/standardized modelling aligned with PROCs, since the results need to fit the Tier 1 tool that ECETOC TRA is;
• Both the affected/exposed skin surface area and the loading levels need to be provided.

In our proposal we will address how we will meet the objectives and overcome these four challenges.

The project proposed will result in a transparent, objective and reliable set of dermal exposure estimates aligned with PROCs suitable for Tier-1 chemical safety estimates that meet the criteria mentioned above. By doing so we will also identify those PROCs for which currently information is missing that prevents a proper conclusion regarding the validity of the ECETOC TRA.

Executive Summary of the TNO Report, June 2016.