Biologically relevant exposure science for 21st century toxicity testing

Area of Science:

• Exposure science
• Computational toxicology
• Environmental health

Background:

• The National Research Council (NRC) report "Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century" highlights the need for human exposure data in toxicity testing.
• Current exposure science must evolve to effectively translate in vitro toxicity findings to real-world human health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the necessary advancements in exposure science to support the NRC's vision for toxicity testing.
• To emphasize the critical role of exposure data in risk assessment and public health decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Adopting novel techniques to capture biologically relevant exposure determinants.
• Developing an exposure ontology and knowledge base for network analysis.
• Integrating lifestage, genetic susceptibility, and nonchemical stressors into risk assessments.

Main Results:

• A transformational change in exposure science is required to meet the demands of 21st-century toxicity testing.
• New scientific tools are emerging for rapid measurement of biological responses to chemical exposures.
• Enhanced exposure science is essential for translating toxicity data into actionable public health insights.

Conclusions:

• Investment in 21st-century exposure science is vital for realizing the full potential of the NRC's vision.
• A holistic approach to risk assessment, incorporating diverse factors, is necessary for complex environmental diseases.
• Bridging the gap between controlled toxicity testing and real-world human-environment interactions is a key challenge.