Health Risk Characterization of Lead Effects in Human Populations

Health Risk Characterization of Lead Effects in Human Populations 

The final step in the risk assessment methodology employed here for environmental contaminants is quantification of the extent of risks to health in various human populations. This step combines the general elements of hazard characterization and dose—toxic response relationships for lead with case-specific data quantifying the extent of toxic exposure to arrive at some quantitative value for risk. Various regulatory entities differ in the specifics of how this methodological template is applied but retain these broad features. 

Lead has been shown to be carcinogenic in animals and is considered a probable carcinogen in humans. The current view of Pb carcinogenicity vis-a-vis systemic toxicity was set forth in Chapter 17. In terms of overall human health risks, carcinogenic endpoints for lead in terms of quantifiable cancer risk metrics in populations-at-large are not as reliably drawn as are noncarci-nogenic effects. Noncarcinogenic adverse endpoints are the focus for adverse health effects from Pb exposure in humans. 

As briefly noted earlier, lead is unique in that it has both (1) a voluminous record of clinical and subclinical poisonings in humans, and ranges of multiple toxicities in experimental animals and ecological populations, and (2) an extensive epidemiological record for adverse health risks in humans. 

Trace Metals and other Contaminants in the Environment, Volume 10 

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