7 Aug 2018

New publication on quantitative risk assessment model for evaluating the safety of skin sensitizing plant protection products

Fruit of a collaboration between Federal Authorities and SCAHT researchers, this paper discusses a novel approach for quantitative risk assessment of the skin sensitizing potential of plant protection products. The proposed methodology combines the derivation of substance-specific thresholds (so-called Derived No-Effect Level, DNEL) for skin sensitizers and an agricultural exposure model used for assessing chronic health risks of plant protection products in an occupational context. In particular, the approach aims to more fully account for both potency and frequency of exposure in addition to the dose applied, which is to date the main regulatory decision criterion considered when evaluating skin sensitizers safety.