Exposure Program compared

Contemporary risk assessment practices for pesticides in foods require far more data than simply the residue levels evaluated in government monitoring programs. Exposure to pesticides is determined by multiplying the residue levels on food by the amount of the food item consumed once determined, exposure is compared with standard toxicological criteria derived from animal toxicology studies to determine the acceptability of the exposure. 

The transparency of this model was achieved by making it possible for the user to view the equations within the model. By viewing a section of the program code, the user can know how this steady-state model mimics the physical reality. The model is intended to provide regionally specific estimates of chemical concentrations in the primary media. These estimates can be compared to monitoring data and be used for exposure estimation. 

Peter Lacouture, Associate Director, Clinical Research, The Purdue Frederick Company, Norwalk, Connecticut Dr. Fumio Matsumura, Associate Director, Toxic Substances Program, Institute of Toxicology and Environmental Health, University of California, Davis, California Dr. Frederick Oehme, Director, Comparative Toxicology Laboratories, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas and Dr. Jack Radomski, Private Consultant, Jonesport, Maine. These experts collectively have knowledge of heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide s physical and chemical properties, toxicokinetics, key health end points, mechanisms of action, human and animal exposure, and quantification of risk to humans. All reviewers were selected in conformity with the conditions for peer review specified in Section 104(i)(13) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended. 

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