title: Estimation of the benchmark dose by structural equation models.
abstract: While epidemiological data typically contain a multivariate response and often also multiple exposure parameters, current methods for safe dose calculations, including the widely used benchmark approach, rely on standard regression techniques. In practice, dose-response modeling and calculation of the exposure limit are often based on the seemingly most sensitive outcome. However, this procedure ignores other available data, is inefficient, and fails to account for multiple testing. Instead, risk assessment could be based on structural equation models, which can accommodate both a multivariate exposure and a multivariate response function. Furthermore, such models will allow for measurement error in the observed variables, which is a requirement for unbiased estimation of the benchmark dose. This methodology is illustrated with the data on neurobehavioral effects in children prenatally exposed to methylmercury, where results based on standard regression models cause an underestimation of the true risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, entrance B, PO Box 2099, DK-1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark. ebj@biostat.ku.dk
authors.forename: Esben
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Budtz-Jørgensen
mesh_terms: D001699:Biometry; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D008954:Models, Biological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds