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Susan B. Goldhaber, MPH and Sanford C. Garner, PhD. Science Management and Research Administration, Constella Health Sciences, 2605 Meridian Parkway, Durham, NC 27713, 9193137666, sgoldhaber@constellagroup.com
Risk assessment of essential trace elements involves using science to estimate intakes of elements that are too high, causing toxicity, or too low, resulting in nutritional deficiencies. A number of governmental and nongovernmental agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, carry out risk assessments on essential trace elements.
In this presentation, we will examine chromium as an example of an essential trace element that may be toxic at high concentrations. The two main forms of chromium are trivalent chromium, the form normally found in food that is essential for maintaining normal glucose metabolism, and hexavalent chromium, the form commonly found in air that is a skin and mucous membrane irritant. Hexavalent chromium is also considered to be a human carcinogen, causing lung cancer in workers and lung and intrabronchial implantation site tumors in rats. Studies have shown that hexavalent chromium is reduced to trivalent chromium in the gastrointestinal tract, which may reduce the potential for toxic effects.
The EPA, the FDA, and the Institute of Medicine have carried out risk assessments on chromium. We will examine the scientific basis of these risk assessments and discuss how the different Agencies carry out risk assessments based on differing assumptions, scientific information, and policy judgments which may lead to differing, and potentially conflicting values.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.