Rethinking Subthreshold Effects in Regulatory Chemical Risk Assessments

Authors of this article have expressed an urgent need for regulatory authorities around the world to be inclusive of the most up-to-date scientific methods of chemical risk assessment by reconsidering (i) potential subthreshold responses, (ii) nonlinear dose−response models able to detect subthreshold responses, and (iii) abandoning the default use of linear dose−response models for all risk assessments. They argued that current lack of subthreshold responses inclusion in the risk assessment of chemicals undermines the accuracy of the risk assessment process, and consequent remediation practices and actions applied.