Techniques for the assessment of carcinogenic risk due to drinking water contaminants

Assessment of the risk of cancer due to contaminants in drinking water involves information concerning the exposure levels and probability of resulting health effects. Exposure estimates are based on the knowledge of the occurrence of contaminants in drinking water supplies and the amount getting into humans via the ingestion, inhalation, and dermal routes. The health effect consequences of such bodily invasion are usually based on information from animal experiments. Different models are used to extrapolate data from exposures of animals to high doses and to the low doses encountered in environmental exposures. The estimated effects are then converted to the effect expected for human exposure. The results of applying this process to different environmental contaminants is described. The risk assessment of environmental contaminants in drinking water, including uncertainty analysis, encompasses volatile organic compounds, radionuclides, pesticides, and several other materials.

Notes

The ideas and thoughts presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.