Determining toxicological reference values involves a rigorous process that includes:
1. Toxicity Testing: Conducting animal studies and, where possible, human epidemiological studies to understand the effects of a substance. 2. Dose-Response Assessment: Establishing the relationship between the dose of a substance and the occurrence of adverse health effects. 3. Risk Assessment: Evaluating the potential for harm based on the dose-response data, including considerations for sensitive populations such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. 4. Uncertainty Factors: Applying safety or uncertainty factors to account for gaps in data, interspecies differences, and variability within human populations.
