Incorporating Epigenetics Into a Risk Assessment Framework

Abstract The evidence that epigenomic modification by environmental factors can pose significant public health risks is substantial. Epigenomic modification can include a wide variety of health effects. Exposures during sensitive life stages (i.e., fetus, neonates and young children) may increase the incidence of early-life and later-in-life diseases with potential multigenerational effects. Despite these concerns, there is limited application of epigenetic information in risk assessments. Consequently, environmental health risks may go unaddressed. In this chapter, the risk assessment process is reviewed, and we propose a risk assessment framework to enhance characterization of risks posed by environmental exposures to epigenomic modifiers. Such improvements in risk assessment are anticipated to be useful to risk managers, risk assessors, and the public.