Risk assessment for the harmful effects of immunotoxic agents on the immunological resistance to infectious diseases: ultraviolet light as an example.
Risk assessment comprises four steps: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization. As an example we have assessed the risk of decreased host resistance to infections due to effects of the immunotoxic agent - ultraviolet light. We have analysed effects of UVB radiation on basal immune functions in rats and man, and the immunological resistance to infectious diseases in rats. Non-threshold mathematical methods were used in order to estimate the risk for the human population after increased exposure to UVB radiation. These data demonstrate that UVB radiation, at doses relevant to outdoors exposure, may affect the immunological resistance to infectious diseases in human individuals. This study may also provide a basis for a strategy to assess the risk of adverse effects of exposure to immunotoxic agents.
Van Loveren
H
H
National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Goettsch
W
W
Slob
W
W
Garssen
J
J
D000818:Animals; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*