Implications of global climate change for the assessment and management of human health risks of chemicals in the natural environment

Balbus, JM; Boxall, ABA; Fenske, RA; Mckone, TE; Zeise, L

HERO ID

1722045

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2013

Language

English

PMID

23147420

HERO ID 1722045
In Press No
Year 2013
Title Implications of global climate change for the assessment and management of human health risks of chemicals in the natural environment
Authors Balbus, JM; Boxall, ABA; Fenske, RA; Mckone, TE; Zeise, L
Journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Volume 32
Issue 1
Page Numbers 62-78
Abstract Global climate change (GCC) is likely to alter the degree of human exposure to pollutants and the response of human populations to these exposures, meaning that risks of pollutants could change in the future. The present study, therefore, explores how GCC might affect the different steps in the pathway from a chemical source in the environment through to impacts on human health and evaluates the implications for existing risk-assessment and management practices. In certain parts of the world, GCC is predicted to increase the level of exposure of many environmental pollutants due to direct and indirect effects on the use patterns and transport and fate of chemicals. Changes in human behavior will also affect how humans come into contact with contaminated air, water, and food. Dietary changes, psychosocial stress, and coexposure to stressors such as high temperatures are likely to increase the vulnerability of humans to chemicals. These changes are likely to have significant implications for current practices for chemical assessment. Assumptions used in current exposure-assessment models may no longer apply, and existing monitoring methods may not be robust enough to detect adverse episodic changes in exposures. Organizations responsible for the assessment and management of health risks of chemicals therefore need to be more proactive and consider the implications of GCC for their procedures and processes. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:6278. (c) 2012 SETAC
Doi 10.1002/etc.2046
Pmid 23147420
Wosid WOS:000312545700009
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000312545700009
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Toxicology; Exposure pathway; Risk assessment; Vulnerability