Modified Reference Point Index (mRPI) and a decision tree for deriving uncertainty factors: A practical approach to cumulative risk assessment of food contaminant mixtures. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vejdovszky, Katharina; Mihats, Daniela; Griesbacher, Antonia; Wolf, Josef; Steinwider, Johann; Lueckl, Johannes; Jank, Bernhard; Kopacka, Ian; Rauscher-Gabernig, Elke
• Is Part Of: Food and chemical toxicology. Volume 134(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Chemical mixtures -- Cumulative risk assessment -- Food contaminants -- Uncertainty factor -- Modified reference point index -- Modified maximum cumulative ratio; AGES Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety -- BMDL Benchmark Dose Lower Bound -- CAG Cumulative Assessment Group -- CONTAM EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain -- DON Deoxynivalenol -- 3-ADON 3-acetylated deoxynivalenol -- 15-ADON 15-acetylated deoxynivalenol -- GE Glycidyl fatty acid esters -- HBGV Health-Based Guidance Value -- HI Hazard Index -- HQ Hazard Quotient -- LB Lower Bound -- LOAEL Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level -- LOD Limit of Detection -- LOQ Limit of Quantification -- maxHQ maximum value of HQ -- maxRPQ maximum value of RPQ -- 3-MCPD 3-monochloropropane diol -- MCR Maximum Cumulative Ratio -- mMCR modified Maximum Cumulative Ratio -- mRPI modified Reference Point Index -- NIV Nivalenol -- NOAEL No Observed Adverse Effect Level -- OTA Ochratoxin A -- PAH4 Benzo[a]anthracene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene and Chrysene -- PAT Patulin -- RP Reference Point -- RPI Reference Point Index -- RPQ Reference Point Quotient -- TDI Tolerable Daily Intake -- UB Upper Bound -- UF Uncertainty Factor -- WHO/ICPS World Health Organisation/International Programme on Chemical Safety -- ZEN Zearalenone; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Food poisoning -- Periodicals; Food Poisoning -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Toxicologie -- Périodiques; Intoxications alimentaires -- Périodiques; Food poisoning; Toxicology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110812
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-6915

Abstract

Abstract: Risk assessment of chemical mixtures remains a challenging task in all areas of food and consumer safety. So far, no general method has been developed that is best suited to several subject areas (e.g. food contaminants, additives and supplements, plant protection products). Especially for mixtures of food contaminants sophisticated methods are typically not applicable due to a general lack of complete toxicological data sets. We developed a new approach, the modified Reference Point Index (mRPI), that combines the advantages of the Hazard Index and the Reference Point Index . Furthermore, we developed a decision tree for the determination of specific uncertainty factors that makes the mRPI an easy to use method for cumulative risk assessment even in a data poor field such as food contaminants. To further characterise the estimated cumulative risks, the Maximum Cumulative Ratio (MCR) was adapted to be applied on the mRPI, and the modified Maximum Cumulative Ratio (mMCR) was established to identify whether the risks are dominated by a single substance. We present two case studies assessing the nephrotoxic and neurotoxic risks for the Austrian population originating from food contaminant mixtures. Calculations could not rule out potential cumulative risks, yet, they seemed to be dominated by single substances. Highlights: The modified Reference Point Index combines the advantages of the Hazard Index and the Reference Point Index. A decision tree was developed to facilitate the use of the mRPI to determine specific uncertainty factors. The mRPI provides a transparent approach to cumulative risk assessment, even in a data poor field such as food contaminants. Calculated risks can be characterised by the Maximum Cumulative Ratio to identify major contributing substances.