Regional Workbench Consortium

Regional Workbench Consortium - Using the Technologies of Tomorrow for the Problems of Today

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3i. Toxicology and Health Effects
http://www-apps.niehs.nih.gov/sbrp/eag/web/3i.html

There is great concern about the effects of exposures to hazardous substances on human health. The uncertainties and unknowns surrounding exposures present a huge challenge for decision-makers, especially for those dealing with hazardous waste sites. Accordingly, a basic, mechanistic understanding of the cellular, molecular and biochemical processes that are affected by the exposures can enhance the scientific base used in the decision process. There are many aspects to developing a fuller understanding of the relationship between exposures and disease processes such as the identification of the causative agent(s); determination of the minimum dose where adverse health effects are manifested; and elucidation of the mechanisms by which these substances cause toxicity. The more we learn, the better understanding we will have of carcinogenesis, cardiovascular toxicity, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity and other toxic effects. Clearly, these are all important public health concerns.

A major component of the SBRP research effort is directed towards improving the understanding of the health effects from exposures to contaminants. Of all of the Superfund-related research enterprises, the SBRP is the primary program charged with conducting basic biomedical research as it relates to hazardous substances. Given this role, the Program has invested heavily in health effects research. Our health effects research includes very basic mechanistic studies, toxicological investigations, as well as biomarker development and molecular epidemiology studies. Compilations that identify the full range of SBRP biomedical research can be found in this section and in the biomarkers and risk/exposure assessment sections.

This section demonstrates that the Program’s basic toxicology studies include not only cancer but other important health endpoints, and have evolved to incorporate more mechanistic understanding of the toxicological event. One important aspect of toxicology studies is dose. In our Program studies are being conducted to better define the toxicity at real world concentrations.

It is anticipated that the knowledge acquired in these studies can be incorporated into the risk assessment of hazardous waste sites, as well as strategies for preventing adverse human health effects.

Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure: Analysis of Disposition in the Body and Target Inactivation in Relation to Gene Expression
Palmer Taylor, University of California – San Diego
2000 – 2005
http://www-apps.niehs.nih.gov/sbrp/program2000/Getproj.cfm?ProjAutoNum=393&ONum=343

Environmental Influences of Ah Receptor Ligands on Gene Expression
Robert Tukey, University of California – San Diego
2000 – 2005
http://www-apps.niehs.nih.gov/sbrp/program2000/Getproj.cfm?ProjAutoNum=390&ONum=343

Environmental Pollutants and Oxidative Stress: Protective Responses and Animal Models
Michael Karin, University of California – San Diego
2000 – 2005
http://www-apps.niehs.nih.gov/sbrp/Program2000/getproj.cfm?ProjAutoNum=387&ONum=343