This scientific paper critically examines the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Research Council report on the toxicological effects of methylmercury plus the recently published Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reference dose (RfD) for methylmercury. This paper also examines the evaluations conducted by other agencies and organizations, plus it summarizes existing research needs.
To improve the precision of the current EPA methylmercury reference dose, these scientists identified the following research needs: 1) determine the critical effect for methylmercury; 2) analyze the impact of mixed chemical exposures; 3) evaluate continuous versus peak exposures to methylmercury; and 4) refine the uncertainty factors used in determining the EPA methylmercury reference dose.
These scientists identify the need for new research on PCBs exposure in the womb like that known to have occurred to infants in The Faroe Islands Study. PCBs are dangerous chemical pollutants.
This paper critically examines the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council report on the toxicological effects of methyl mercury and the recently published US Environmental Protection Agency Reference Dose (RfD) for methylmercury. Particular scrutiny is placed on the choice of the critical study and the underlining assumptions utilized in the selection of specific uncertainty factors (UFs) and the rationale for using a less-than-default factor of 10. The UFs that were utilized or considered by other agencies and organizations are also critically examined, explained and compared to one another. Based on these analyses, the authors suggest research that could be performed that would ameliorate the uncertainty of choosing a more precise partial UFor that may even provide completeness of database to allow for selecting of a UF for unity, thus improving the precision of the current published RfD.
Uncertainties in the Reference Dose for Methlymercury. NeuroToxicology Vol. 22. pp. 677-689. 2001.
