Cumulative assessment group

Cumulative Assessment Group (CAG) A subset of chemicals selected from a common mechanism group for inclusion in a refined quantifative estimate of risk. The chemicals in the CAG, as well as their pathways/routes and pesticide uses, are judged to have a hazard and exposure potential that could result in the expression of a cumulative risk. Thus, negligible contributors are not included in quantifying the risk (USEPA, 2002). 

Pesticides are determined to have a common mechanism of toxicity if they aci the same way in the body that is, if scientifically reliable data dcmon.strate that upon exposure to these chemicals, the same toxic effect occurs in or at the same organ or tissue by essentially the same. sequence of major biochemical events. The OPs were the first common mechanism of toxicity group identified by EPA and are the first pesticides to undergo a full cumulative risk assessment. More than 30 OPs are included in the CMG. However, not all are included in the cumulative assessment group (CAG). 

Chemical name DNT required ChE required Cumulative assessment group ... 

The long-term effects of budesonide on adrenal function have been assessed in 63 asthmatic children using budesonide 400 micrograms/day, nedocromil 16 mg/day, or placebo over 3 years (74). There were no differences in serum cortisol concentrations after ACTH stimulation between the three treatment groups, regardless of the time after ACTH administration or months of follow-up. Cumulative inhaled glucocorticoid exposure did not affect the serum cortisol response to ACTH or urinary free cortisol excretion at 3 years. 

Cumulative risk assessments evaluate the health risk for aggregate exposures accumulated over time and for multiple contaminants or stressors. In some contexts (e.g. USEPA pesticide risk assessments), cumulative refers specifically to combined exposures to chemicals that share a common mechanism of toxicity (see http // www.epa.gov/oppsrrdl/cumulative/). Populations may be defined by their location relative to sources, their activities and customs, and their susceptibility to exposures. In this context, populations can include different ethnic groups, different communities, or different age groups. Cumulative risk is a very important concept in understanding environmental health risks to children in different settings, particularly in underdeveloped countries where children may be facing multiple stressors. 

LifeLine Group (2005) Aggregate and Cumulative Exposure and Risk Assessment Software, Version 4.3. Annandale, VA, The LifeLine Group, Inc. (http // www.thelifelinegroup.org/index.htm software accessed 5 May 2005). 

---