What is the importance of mathematical modeling in toxicological risk assessment?
Mathematical modeling is a powerful tool in toxicological risk assessment, helping to simulate complex biological processes and predict outcomes under various scenarios:
Models such as QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships) predict the toxicity of untested chemicals based on their structural features. PBPK (Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic) models describe the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of chemicals in the body, providing a more detailed understanding of dose-response relationships. Exposure models predict human exposure levels based on environmental concentrations and human behavior, aiding in more accurate exposure assessments.
