Perchlorate toxicity and risk assessment

Abstract

There are currently many unanswered questions surrounding the prevalence of perchlorate in the environment, the possible exposures and effects, and the risk management strategies available to manage perchlorate contamination. Further information must be obtained in each of these areas in order to develop successful and appropriate strategies for handing perchlorate contamination now and in the future. Because of the uncertainty involved in evaluating toxicological data, the states and federal agencies using this information may use and interpret it somewhat differently to promulgate different standards and advisory levels. It is important to note that the status of the knowledge of perchlorate exposure and risks continues to evolve and it will be essential to periodically re-evaluate what is known about this chemical. However, the reference dose recommended by National Research Council and adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will protect the health of even the most sensitive groups of people over a lifetime of exposure. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.