Emerging topics on chemical safety assessment

About this Research Topic

Background

The science to identify hazards is constantly evolving from new understandings of biology to the development of analytical tools and chemistry. However, the methods and approaches used to identify
hazards and interpret the information they provide have not developed at a similar pace in the field of regulatory toxicology. Some regulators and the communities they regulate have argued that “scientific consensus is essential for regulatory integrity” without explicitly defining what consensus means or how to get there.

Most regulatory agencies in the EU and US have a risk-based approach to chemical safety assessment with many fewer based on hazard assessments alone. With the passing of the Chemical Safety for
Sustainability law, the EU has made a move not only towards a hazard-based system but also towards a single hazard identification system for a chemical regardless of its uses. In other words, this new
approach acknowledges that the risk of a chemical’s use changes but the hazards remain the same regardless of what agency regulates it.

In the last decade, significant new areas have emerged to challenge hazard and risk assessments. New contaminants of concern have been identified such as micro- and nanoplastics. There are efforts to
move away from animal testing for toxicology assessment. Although in silico and in vitro assays have been used in hazard identification for several years, that information alone has seldom been used for
regulatory purposes. There are efforts underway to standardize new approach methodologies (NAMs) and to develop a framework to build confidence in the new evidence streams.

The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a platform for scientists, researchers, and regulators to delve into these emerging topics in hazard evaluations in order to foster collaboration, share advancements, and ultimately enhance the understanding and interpretation of hazards associated with chemicals and contaminants in consumer products. We also welcome submissions that explore the opportunities and potential challenges for regulators in implementing hazard-based assessments.

Authors are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, methodologies, and perspectives on emerging topics in hazard evaluations, including but not limited to:

- How to perform systematic reviews

- Cumulative effects methods

- Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs)

- Adverse effects in cell-based systems

- Toxicology of mixtures

- Microplastic exposure and toxicity methods

- Reverse dosimetry

- Improvements in PBTK models

- NAMs

Keywords: chemical safety, chemical assessment, adverse effects, NAMs, AOPs

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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