Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs for humans and wildlife

Van den Berg, M; Birnbaum, L; Bosveld, ATC; Brunström, B; Cook, P; Feeley, M; Giesy, JP; Hanberg, A; Hasegawa, R; Kennedy, SW; Kubiak, T; Larsen, JC; van Leeuwen, FXR; Liem, AKD; Nolt, C; Peterson, RE; Poellinger, L; Safe, S; Schrenk, D; Tillitt, D; Tysklind, M; Younes, M; Waern, F; Zacharewski, T

HERO ID

198345

Reference Type

Journal Article

Subtype

Review

Year

1998

Language

English

PMID

9831538

HERO ID 198345
Material Type Review
In Press No
Year 1998
Title Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs for humans and wildlife
Authors Van den Berg, M; Birnbaum, L; Bosveld, ATC; Brunström, B; Cook, P; Feeley, M; Giesy, JP; Hanberg, A; Hasegawa, R; Kennedy, SW; Kubiak, T; Larsen, JC; van Leeuwen, FXR; Liem, AKD; Nolt, C; Peterson, RE; Poellinger, L; Safe, S; Schrenk, D; Tillitt, D; Tysklind, M; Younes, M; Waern, F; Zacharewski, T
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 106
Issue 12
Page Numbers 775-792
Abstract An expert meeting was organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and held in Stockholm on 15-18 June 1997. The objective of this meeting was to derive consensus toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxinlike polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for both human, fish, and wildlife risk assessment. Based on existing literature data, TEFs were (re)evaluated and either revised (mammals) or established (fish and birds). A few mammalian WHO-TEFs were revised, including 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorinated DD, octachlorinated DD, octachlorinated DF, and PCB 77. These mammalian TEFs are also considered applicable for humans and wild mammalian species. Furthermore, it was concluded that there was insufficient in vivo evidence to continue the use of TEFs for some di-ortho PCBs, as suggested earlier by Ahlborg et al. [Chemosphere 28:1049-1067 (1994)]. In addition, TEFs for fish and birds were determined. The WHO working group attempted to harmonize TEFs across different taxa to the extent possible. However, total synchronization of TEFs was not feasible, as there were orders of a magnitude difference in TEFs between taxa for some compounds. In this respect, the absent or very low response of fish to mono-ortho PCBs is most noticeable compared to mammals and birds. Uncertainties that could compromise the TEF concept were also reviewed, including nonadditive interactions, differences in shape of the dose-response curve, and species responsiveness. In spite of these uncertainties, it was concluded that the TEF concept is still the most plausible and feasible approach for risk assessment of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons with dioxinlike properties.
Doi 10.1289/ehp.98106775
Pmid 9831538
Wosid WOS:000077954600018
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword dioxins; humans; PCBs; polychlorinated biphenyls; TEFs; toxic equivalency; uncertainties; wildlife