Guidance for risk assessment of chemicals for children

Every day humans are exposed to chemicals, either from food and/or non-food sources, such as consumer products. In regulatory toxicology, recent attention has focussed on the possible differences between children and adults with respect to susceptibility and exposure to chemicals. The present RIVM report aims at providing guidance on peroforming assessments of risks for children. The report discusses child-specific toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics and exposure, and also addresses the adequacy of, and the data gaps in, the present methods of risk assessment. The intention of such research is to make risk assessors aware of the different aspects that should be taken into consideration when performing assessments of chemicals posing risks for children. A variety of toxicological tests in animals has been developed to assess the adverse health effects of chemicals. However, concern has arisen about whether the current test protocols adequately cover potential effects in the early life stages. In this document guidance, the guidance for risk assessors on the strategy to be used when performing risk assessments for children addresses this concern and stimulates consistency in the assessments. Several issues relevant to the risk management of chemicals are discussed as well, accompanied by a number of recommendations for improvements in performing assessments with respect to risks for children.