Toxicology of Industrial Compounds

qualitative approach and for risk assessment which in addition has to take
into account quantitative aspects. This will be discussed separately for
toxicological effects with thresholds (‘classical’ organ toxicity, reproductive
and developmental toxicity) and without thresholds (mutagenicity,
carcinogenicity). Apart from this subdivision there is one general concern
of industry, that is to appropriately take into account exposure.
Exposure
Every classification and especially risk assessment decision should not only
be based qualitatively on the toxicological profile, but it should also take
into account quantitatively the toxicological dose-response relationship as
compared to human exposure.
As a first rough approximation the different exposure profiles may be
grouped into four main categories:
1.
Exposure during chemical production
Many high production volume chemicals are used mainly or even
exclusively as intermediates within the chemical industry. Although large
amounts of these materials may be produced or processed within only a few
facilities, exposure is often quite low and can be controlled or reduced by
technical means. In addition there are many specific features enabling an
efficient exposure control, such as: a trained workforce, site-specific and
personal protection devices, stringent surveillance of workforce and work
procedures, medical programmes tailored to the specificities of the work
place, well defined exposures at the specific work sites, the exposed
population is well known and limited, specified exposure duration,
relatively homogeneous age and better health status of the workforce as
compared to the general population, etc.
2.
Exposure of the downstream user during industrial/
manufacturing applications
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In principle, the exposure scenarios may be quite similar to those of
chemical production, since many of the features described above also relate
to or may be implemented at smaller workshops of the downstream user.
Unfortunately, in reality often quite high exposures prevail in small
workshops, possibly due to limited expenditures into exposure reduction
measures or to a workforce not specifically trained for handling of
dangerous chemicals.