Proposing new approaches for the risk characterisation of single chemicals and chemical mixtures: The source related Hazard Quotient (HQ(S)) and Hazard Index (HI(S)) and the adversity specific Hazard Index (HI(A))

A hazard quotient (HQ) for a single chemical and the hazard index (HI) for a mixture of chemicals were first described as approaches for risk characterisation by the EPA. HQ is defined as the ratio of exposure to an appropriate reference dose such as the ADI. HI is the sum of the HQs of the chemicals in a mixture. HQ and HI have been used to characterise risk after various exposure scenarios. However, both approaches have a significant limitation in the way they are used. The accurate use of HQ or HI requires estimation of aggregate exposure, that is, exposure to a given chemical(s) from all possible relevant sources. In many studies, risk is assessed assuming exposure from a specific source such as, consumption of water or a specific food item, in which chemical(s) concentration(s) have been measured. In this case the classic HQ/HI approach can result in significant underestimation of risk. For this purpose, we developed an alternative approach, named as Source Related HQ (HQs) where HQ(S) is the ratio of the exposure from the specific source of interest to the respected reference values. According to our approach the HQ(S), before being compared to the reference dose, should be adjusted by a correction factor, in order to simulate aggregated exposure. A correction factor can be calculated based on the permitted exposure contribution from the specific source to the permitted aggregated exposure. Another important limitation specific to the HI approach is the use of chemical specific ADIs that do not correspond to the same critical effect. In this study, we present an analysis based on the individual critical effects, in order to derive the critical effect and an adversity specific Hazard Index (HI(A)) and risk characterisation for the whole mixture.