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Chemical agents and the immune response
1National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Environmental chemicals can impact human health by affecting the immune system, leading to concerns about hypersensitivity and immunosuppression. Research is ongoing to understand these immunotoxicology effects and develop testing guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Immunotoxicology
- Environmental Health
- Immune System Regulation
Background:
- Growing understanding of the immune system highlights potential adverse effects of environmental chemical exposure.
- Public and scientific concerns exist regarding chemical-induced hypersensitivity and immunosuppression.
- Increased chemical market globalization contributes to rising alleged human sensitization cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the scientific and public interest in immunotoxicology.
- To investigate chemical-induced hypersensitivity and immunosuppression.
- To inform the development of regulatory immunotoxicity testing guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature and case reports.
- Analysis of animal study databases.
- Assessment of human exposure data (inadvertent and occupational).
Main Results:
- Well-defined examples of chemical sensitizers exist in humans and animals (e.g., isocyanates, anhydrides).
- Evidence for chemical-induced immunosuppression in humans is less established than in animals.
- Limitations exist in human methodology and data for extrapolating animal risks.
Conclusions:
- Chemicals pose potential risks of hypersensitivity and immunosuppression.
- Further research is needed to clarify dose-response relationships and human risk assessment.
- Regulatory agencies are developing immunotoxicity testing guidelines in response to concerns.