Exposure-Dose-Response Paradigm as It Relates to Toxicogenomics

Over the past decades, the risk assessment of chemicals has frequently been considered a pseudoscientific process, primarily determined by public policy that masquerades as science, rather than representing a process well grounded in firm biological principles. Many toxicologists are uncomfortable when their work is linked to risk assessment or even when asked how their work will influence the risk assessment process. This chapter discusses the integration of toxicological data in risk assessment, emphasizing the applications of molecular toxicology (toxicogenomics) for improving the risk assessments of all chemical especially neurotoxicants. The chapter discusses the integration of toxicology information via an exposure-dose paradigm, provides a brief synopsis of the emerging consensus to increase the scientific basis of “neuroactive” chemical risk assessment, and notes the areas where molecular toxicology will likely contribute to refinements of the current risk assessment process.