Risk assessment is a critical component of toxicology, involving the identification and evaluation of potential health risks posed by chemical exposures. This process includes:
1. Hazard Identification: Determining whether a chemical can cause harm. 2. Dose-Response Assessment: Understanding the relationship between the dose and the occurrence of adverse effects. 3. Exposure Assessment: Estimating the extent and frequency of human exposure to the chemical. 4. Risk Characterization: Integrating data from the previous steps to describe the overall risk.
