D5.8 - Human Biomonitoring in risk assessment: 3rd set of examples on the use of HBM in risk assessments of HBM4EU priority chemicals
Creators: name: Mahiout, Selma
name: Santonen, Tiina
name: Bil, Wieneke
name: Wildeman, Jenna
name: Woutersen, Marjolijn
name: Meslin, Matthieu
name: Snoj Tratnik, Janja
name: Vinggaard, Anne Marie
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2021

description: The aim of this work was to demonstrate how Human Biomonitoring (HBM) data can be included in risk assessment strategies. Risk assessment was performed for three compound groups on HBM4EU’s first and second list of priority substances: bisphenols, PFAS and UVfilters. In addition, a case study was performed on cadmium, exploring a possible link between cadmium soil contamination and human exposure via dietary sources using HBM data. This was a follow-up work related to the risk assessment of cadmium published as part of Deliverable report D5.5. For bisphenols, risk assessments were performed for BPA and BPS. Measured BPA levels did not result in risk in the general population when risks were estimated based on EFSA’s tTDI value. However, for BPS, health risks in the general population were identified when lowdose animal studies were used as a starting point. For BPA, a risk for workers was identified especially in industrial scenarios, when using an internal threshold value from a worst-case scenario. Specific challenges observed regarding risk assessment for bisphenols are discussed in the report. A clear need was identified for more HBM data on occupational bisphenols exposure across Europe, covering various professional activities and sectors. This need is particularly pressing for other bisphenols than BPA. The PFAS risk assessment was a combined risk assessment of several PFASs, performed using three different approaches. These included the Relative Potency Factor (RPF) approach, the Hazard Index (HI) approach, and the sum value approach of the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA). Using all three approaches, health risks related to combined PFAS exposure were identified in the European population. However, all these approaches have limitations. The UV-filters risk assessment focused on benzophenone-3. The results indicated potential risk for heavy users of benzophenone-3 containing products. It was noted that Human Biomonitoring data on benzophenones is still limited, and the identified data gaps call for upto-date and European-wide biomonitoring activities. The cadmium case study was set to characterise the exposure through existing HBM and environmental data, with an emphasis to assess what proportion of exposure is from contaminated soil though dietary sources. The analyses revealed an indication that at least in certain European areas, the local diet might be a significant contribution to cadmium exposure. However, due to uncertainties discussed in detail in the report, the observed associations should be taken with caution. Next, the observed positive associations will be verified. In addition, cadmium intake values will be calculated using PBPK modelling, which will allow an update of the existing RA presented in the Deliverable report D5.5 (Human Biomonitoring in risk assessment: 2nd set of examples on the use of HBM in risk assessments of HBM4EU priority chemicals). Overall, more HBM data are needed for the substances. This work is ongoing in HBM4EU, and the RAs presented here will be updated when new data become available.
description: {"references": ["Ares(2021)5132221 - 16/08/2021"]}