Using the Matrix to bridge the epidemiology/risk assessment gap: a case study of 2,4-D

Figures & data

Table 1. The Matrix: Nine risk assessor “asks” of epidemiology studies.

Asks for risk assessment
Hazard ID	Confirm outcome	Confirm exposure	Report methods fully and transparently
Dose-response	Include information on the shape of the curve	Harmonize exposure categories	Describe direction/magnitude of error
Exposure assessment	Evaluate source-to-intake pathways	Describe complete exposure data	Report on quality assurance/quality control

(From Burns et al. 2019; LaKind et al. 2020).

Table 2. Case study 2,4-D publication examined with the Matrix.

Reference	Study or design	Location	Outcome
Noncancer outcomes
(Arbuckle et al. 2001)	OFFHS	Canada	Spontaneous abortion
(Hoppin et al. 2002)	AHS	US (IA and NC)	Wheeze
(Hoppin et al. 2006a)	AHS	US (IA and NC)	Wheeze
(Hoppin et al. 2006b)	AHS	US (IA and NC)	Wheeze
(Hoppin et al. 2007)	AHS	US (IA and NC)	Chronic bronchitis
(Hoppin et al. 2008)	AHS	US (IA and NC)	Asthma
(Hoppin et al. 2009)	AHS	US (IA and NC)	Allergic and nonallergic asthma
(Hoppin et al. 2017)	AHS	US (IA and NC)	Wheeze
(Rull et al. 2006)	Pooled case-control	US (CA)	Neural tube birth defects
(Sathyanarayana et al. 2010)	AHS	US (IA and NC)	Birth weight
(Slager et al. 2009)	AHS	US (IA and NC)	Rhinitis
(Waller et al. 2010)	Case-control	US (WA)	Gastroschisis
(Weselak et al. 2007)	OFFHS	Canada	Respiratory effects in children
(Weselak et al. 2008)	OFFHS	Canada	Non-specific birth defects
(Valcin et al. 2007)	AHS	US (IA and NC)	Chronic bronchitis
Cancer outcomes
(Burns et al. 2011)	Retrospective cohort	US (MI)	NHL
(Cantor et al. 1992)	Case-control	US (IA/MN)	NHL
(De Roos et al. 2003)	Pooled case-control	US (IA/MN, KS, and NE)	NHL
(Hardell et al. 1994)	Case-control	Sweden	NHL
(Hartge et al. 2005)	Case-control	US (IA)	NHL
(Hoar et al. 1986)	Case-control	US (KS)	NHL
(Hohenadel et al. 2011)	Case-control	Canada	NHL
(Kogevinas et al. 1995)	Pooled nested case-control	Multi-country	NHL
(Lee et al. 2004)	Pooled case-control	US (IA/MN and NE)	NHL
(McDuffie et al. 2001)	Case-control	Canada	NHL
(McDuffie et al. 2005)	Case-control	Canada	NHL
(Miligi et al. 2006)	Case-control	Italy	NHL
(Mills et al. 2005)	Nested case-control	US (CA)	NHL
(Pahwa et al. 2012)	Case-control	Canada	NHL
(Woods and Polissar 1989)	Case-control	US (WA)	NHL
(Zahm et al. 1990)	Case-control	US (NE)	NHL

AHS: Agricultural Health Study; CA: California; IA: Iowa; KS: Kansas, MI: Michigan; MN: Minnesota; NE: Nebraska; NC: North Carolina; NHL: non-Hodgkin lymphoma; OFFHS: Ontario Farm Family Health Study; US: United States; WA: Washington.

Figure 1. Inclusion of Matrix asks in 2,4-D epidemiology literature.

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