The role of "negative" epidemiology data in the evaluation of risk.
The identification and quantification of risk is a complex process that depends upon a variety of different disciplines. All contribute, but none provides a complete and comprehensive perspective. In the past, emphasis has been placed upon the limitations of each individually. Toxicology, for example, is plagued by low predictive value positive; epidemiology, by qualitative measures of exposure. Focusing instead upon the contributions of each to the whole, and the contributions of all of the data--both "positive" and "nonpositive"--a better understanding of potential hazards can be achieved. Examples are provided for styrene and phenoxy herbicides.
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Dow Chemical Company, Health and Environmental Sciences, Midland, Michigan 48674.
D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk
D002273:Carcinogens