Identifying Chemical Groups for Biomonitoring

Regulatory agencies face daunting challenges identifying emerging chemical hazards because of the large number of chemicals in commerce and limited data on exposure and toxicology. Evaluating one chemical at a time is inefficient and can lead to replacement with uncharacterized chemicals or chemical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental health perspectives 2016-12, Vol.124 (12), p.A219-A226
Main Authors: Krowech, Gail, Hoover, Sara, Plummer, Laurel, Sandy, Martha, Zeise, Lauren, Solomon, Gina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
21st century
Analysis
Biological samples
Biomonitoring
Bisphenol-A
Brief Communication
California
Chemical industry
Chemicals
Disease control
Environmental hazards
Environmental Health
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Environmental Pollutants - analysis
Fire resistant materials
Fireproofing agents
Flame retardants
Hazardous materials
Health aspects
Health hazards
Humans
Indicator organisms
Legislation
Maternal & child health
Medical laboratories
Organic compounds
Phosphate esters
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers
Public health
Researchers
Risk Assessment
Studies
Toxicity
Toxicology
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Summary:Regulatory agencies face daunting challenges identifying emerging chemical hazards because of the large number of chemicals in commerce and limited data on exposure and toxicology. Evaluating one chemical at a time is inefficient and can lead to replacement with uncharacterized chemicals or chemicals with structural features already linked to toxicity. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has developed a process for constructing and assessing chemical groups for potential biomonitoring in California. We screen for chemicals with significant exposure potential and propose possible chemical groups, based on structure and function. To support formal consideration of these groups by Biomonitoring California's Scientific Guidance Panel, we conduct a detailed review of exposure and toxicity data and examine the likelihood of detection in biological samples. To date, 12 chemical groups have been constructed and added to the pool of chemicals that can be selected for Biomonitoring California studies, including p,p'-bisphenols, brominated and chlorinated organic compounds used as flame retardants, non-halogenated aromatic phosphates, and synthetic polycyclic musks. Evaluating chemical groups, rather than individual chemicals, is an efficient way to respond to shifts in chemical use and the emergence of new chemicals. This strategy can enable earlier identification of important chemicals for monitoring and intervention.
ISSN:0091-6765
1552-9924
DOI:10.1289/EHP537