Risks, risk assessment and risk competence in toxicology

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry
• Physiology

Background:

• Understanding xenobiotic toxicity is hindered by a lack of fundamental knowledge in physiology and biochemistry.
• Public risk assessment frequently overlooks quantitative aspects and dose-effect relationships.
• Low-concentration exposures, often imperceptible to human senses, contribute to disregard for toxicological risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical need for foundational knowledge in physiology and biochemistry for understanding xenobiotic toxicity.
• To address the public's tendency to disregard dose-effect relationships in risk assessment.
• To emphasize the importance of increasing public awareness regarding existing toxicological dangers.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the relationship between fundamental scientific knowledge and the understanding of toxic effects.
• Examination of public discourse on toxic substances, focusing on the neglect of quantitative reasoning and dose-effect principles.
• Identification of reasons for the widespread ignorance of known toxicological dangers.

Main Results:

• A significant gap in essential physiological and biochemical knowledge is identified as a primary barrier to understanding xenobiotic toxicity.
• Public discussions and layperson risk assessments commonly omit crucial quantitative data and dose-effect relationships.
• The low concentrations of many toxic exposures, often below sensory detection, exacerbate the disregard for potential risks.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing risk competence among the public must initially focus on raising awareness of established toxicological problems.
• A stronger foundation in physiology and biochemistry is essential for accurate assessment of xenobiotic risks.
• Addressing the neglect of dose-effect relationships and quantitative reasoning is crucial for informed public discourse on toxicology.