title: Integrating asthma hazard characterization methods for consumer products.
abstract: Despite extensive study, definitive conclusions regarding the relationship between asthma and consumer products remain elusive. Uncertainties reflect the multi-faceted nature of asthma (i.e., contributions of immunologic and non-immunologic mechanisms). Many substances used in consumer products are associated with occupational asthma or asthma-like syndromes. However, risk assessment methods do not adequately predict the potential for consumer product exposures to trigger asthma and related syndromes under lower-level end-user conditions. A decision tree system is required to characterize asthma and respiratory-related hazards associated with consumer products. A system can be built to incorporate the best features of existing guidance, frameworks, and models using a weight-of-evidence (WoE) approach. With this goal in mind, we have evaluated chemical hazard characterization methods for asthma and asthma-like responses. Despite the wealth of information available, current hazard characterization methods do not definitively identify whether a particular ingredient will cause or exacerbate asthma, asthma-like responses, or sensitization of the respiratory tract at lower levels associated with consumer product use. Effective use of hierarchical lines of evidence relies on consideration of the relevance and potency of assays, organization of assays by mode of action, and better assay validation. It is anticipated that the analysis of existing methods will support the development of a refined WoE approach.
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati, 3223 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, United States. Electronic address: maierma@ucmail.uc.edu.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment, 2300 Montana Avenue, Suite 409, Cincinnati, OH 45211, United States.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment, 2300 Montana Avenue, Suite 409, Cincinnati, OH 45211, United States.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gadagbui
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment, 2300 Montana Avenue, Suite 409, Cincinnati, OH 45211, United States.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: Mount Auburn Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 330 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138, United States.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Beckett
authors.affiliation: Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, Faculty of Life Sciences, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kimber
authors.affiliation: ICF International, 2222 East NC-54 Hwy, Durham, NC 27713, United States.
authors.forename: M J K
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Selgrade
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003663:Decision Trees; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods
keywords: Asthma; Consumer products; Hazard characterization