Importance of intrinsic toxic properties for risk assessment

Abstract

Identification of intrinsic toxic properties is the first step in toxicological risk assessment. Toxic properties are not constants of nature but depend on the study program and the observed organism. Reasonably reproducible results are usually gained in standardized animal testings. Available findings in humans and results from in vitro and in silico tests are also taken into account. It is often impossible to prove certain properties, such as carcinogenicity, because other toxic properties, such as very strong irritant effects, dominate. Such “interferences” must be considered in risk assessment.