Step 2.3 Evaluating Exposures for Possible Health Effects

Introduction

After comparing the site-specific doses to the health guidelines, the health assessor selects those that need further evaluation. To conduct this further evaluation, the health assessor reviews studies on the chemical to see if the health effects evaluation supports a link between exposure to the chemical and a potential health effect.

Regardless of whether a chemical is being evaluated for cancer or noncancer effects, the health assessor’s final step in the toxicologic evaluation is to

a stack of books

Review the relevance, of the critical study, other substance factors, and site-specific health effects data for the chemical…

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scales evenly balanced

… to define whether site-specific exposures could result in health effects.

The health assessor then bases the decision regarding the potential health effects from exposure to a chemical on the

scales weighed down on one side

health effects evaluation
Page last reviewed: May 31, 2016