The combined effects of chemicals in a mixture can be classified into three primary categories:
Additivity: This occurs when the overall effect of the mixture is equal to the sum of the effects of individual chemicals. This is often assumed in initial risk assessments. Synergism: This occurs when the combined effect of chemicals is greater than the sum of their individual effects. Synergistic interactions can drastically increase toxicity, posing significant risks. Antagonism: This occurs when the presence of one chemical reduces the effect of another, leading to a total effect that is less than expected from individual contributions.
