Abstracts (PDF file, 1.8MB) - Society for Risk Analysis

SRA 2013 Annual Meeting Abstracts
P.25 Haber, LT*; Dourson, ML; Mohapatra, A; TERA;
Haber@tera.org
Development of Chemical-Specific Adjustment Factors for
Long-Lived Chemicals: PFOS as a Model Chemical
Guidance for the development of chemical-specific adjustment
factors (CSAFs) has been available for a number of years, and
has been applied in assessments of several chemicals, such as
boron and 2-butoxyethanol. Typical dose metrics considered for
interspecies extrapolation include the area under the
concentration times time curve (AUC) or maximal concentration
(Cmax). The IPCS (2005) guidance provides some lines of
evidence to aid in choosing the dose metric, but notes that “a
reasonable assumption is that effects resulting from subchronic
or chronic exposure would normally be related to the AUC,
especially for chemicals with long half-lives, whereas acute
toxicity could be related to either the AUC or the Cmax.”
Despite this guidance, CSAFs have been derived primarily for
chemicals with short half-lives. A challenge with using AUC for
interspecies extrapolation is how to take into account the
duration of exposure, particularly if steady state has not been
reached. We investigated the development of a CSAF for
long-lived chemicals, using perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) as
an example. We evaluated the data supporting AUC vs. Cmax as
the appropriate dose metric, with particular attention to the
relationship between various dose metrics and measures of
toxicity in post-exposure recovery groups. We also considered
the implications of non-steady state kinetics, as well as relating
the exposure duration to the critical effect.
T3-F.4 Hakkinen, PJ; National Library of Medicine, National
Institutes of Health; pertti.hakkinen@nih.gov
Updating On-line Resources: New Tools and Approaches
Being Used by NIH to Make Information More Accessible
Human health risk assessors, risk managers, consumers, and
others need to know where to look for various types of
trustworthy and accurate information. Much of the online
information is free and accessible around-the-clock globally.
The (U.S.) National Library of Medicine (NLM) of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) compiles, reviews, and disseminates
various types of human health risk assessment and
management information as databases, special topics Web
pages, downloadable computer resources, Smartphone apps,
and as Web pages optimized for mobile devices. NLM examples
include numerous “Enviro-Health Links” Web pages developed
to provide easy access to online content from Federal agencies
and other sources on topics such as nanotechnology and indoor
air. Another recent NLM example is the enhancement of the
Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB®) to include new
materials (e.g., nanomaterials), state-of-the science toxicology,
exposure, and risk assessment information, and HSDB’s first
sets of images (e.g., chemical structures). Efforts are ongoing
to examine databases developed by other organizations that
could enhance the types of content in NLM’s TOXNET® suite of
databases. A rather recent example is the addition in 2011 of
the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). The National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) funds the
CTD. This presentation will also mention key examples of
efforts by other governmental and non-governmental
organizations to develop and provide free online access to risk
assessment and management information.
W3-I.4 Hallegatte, S; Senior Economist, The World Bank,
Sustainable Development Network, Office of the Chief
Economist and World Development; shallegatte@worldbank.org
Beyond the ideal – Obstacles to risk management and
ways to overcome them
Countless risk management measures have been shown to yield
large benefits and to be highly cost-effective – yet individuals
and societies often struggle to implement these measures and
manage their risks effectively. The specific reasons for this vary
from case to case, but are always related to the obstacles and
constraints facing individuals and societies: for instance, the
lack of resources and information, cognitive and behavioral
failures, missing markets and public goods, and social and
economic externalities. This chapter analyzes and discusses
these obstacles to risk management, illustrates their relevance
with examples from various sectors, and presents possible
solutions to overcoming them. Overall, it is argued that the
identification of risks is not enough for effective risk
management: the obstacles to risk management must also be
identified, prioritized, and addressed through private and
public action. In doing so, decision makers need to adopt a
holistic approach to risk management, which coordinates
across levels (from the individual to the government), and
manages risks in an integrated manner.
P.64 Hallman, WK*; Cuite, CL; McWilliams, RM;
Senger-Mersich, A; Rutgers, The State University of New
Jersey; hallman@aesop.rutgers.edu
Scald and food safety risks posed by unsafe water,
refrigerator, and freezer temperatures in residences of
Meals On Wheels recipients in 4 US states
In the US, an increasing number of older adults live alone.
Taking on-site measurements in the residences of 800 Meals On
Wheels Recipients in 4 US States (AR, IA, NJ and SC), this
study examined the potential scald risks to older individuals
posed by unsafe water temperatures and the food safety risks
posed by unsafe refrigerator and freezer temperatures. Most
water heater manufacturers have voluntarily adopted a 120°F
standard for domestic hot water as recommended by the US
Consumer Product Safety Commission. However, the thinner
skin of older adults burns more quickly than that of younger
people and so are at increased risk for scalding and burns even
at 120°F. This study adopted a nominal acceptable water
temperature range of 114.8 to 118.4°F since studies have
shown that this ensures thorough removal of grease films
(which may promote bacterial growth), yet reduces the risk of
scalding. Only 27% had hot water temperatures within this
range. More than half (52%) were >120°F and 11% were
>130°F (exposure to which can result in second degree burns
within seconds). The highest temperature recorded was
184.5°F. Since older adults have a worse prognosis than
younger patients after scald burns, the potential health
consequences are serious for a large percentage of this
population. The USDA recommends a freezer temperature <
0°F and a refrigerator temperature < 40°F to minimize
microbial growth. However, 71.6% of the homes surveyed had
freezer temperatures >0°F; with homes in AR and SC at
statistically significantly higher risk of out-of-range freezers. In
addition, 26.3% had refrigerator temperatures > 40°F; with
homes in AR at statistically significantly higher risk of having
an out-of-range refrigerator. The results suggest that the risks
of scalding and microbial exposure are high for a large number
of older individuals and highlights the need for surveillance and
the development of prevention strategies to ensure safer water,
refrigerator and freezer temperatures in the homes of these
individuals.
December 8-11, 2013 - Baltimore, MD