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Chemical Mixtures in the EU Population: Composition and Potential Risks

Author

Listed:
  • Sebastian Socianu

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy)

  • Stephanie K. Bopp

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy)

  • Eva Govarts

    (VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium)

  • Liese Gilles

    (VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium)

  • Jurgen Buekers

    (VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium)

  • Marike Kolossa-Gehring

    (German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195 Berlin, Germany)

  • Thomas Backhaus

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Carl Skottsbergs Gata 22B, 41319 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Antonio Franco

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy)

Abstract

Regulating chemical mixtures is a complex scientific and policy task. The aim of this study was to investigate typical mixtures and their potential risks based on internal exposure levels in the European population. Based on human biomonitoring (HBM) data made available via the HBM4EU project, we derived generic mixtures representative of a median (P50) and a worst-case scenario (P95) for adults and children. We performed a mixture risk assessment based on HBM concentrations, health-based guidance values (HBGVs) as internal thresholds of concern, and the conservative assumption of concentration addition applied across different toxicological endpoints. Maximum cumulative ratios (MCRs) were calculated to characterize the mixture risk. The mixtures comprise 136 biomarkers for adults and 84 for children, although concentration levels could be quantified only for a fraction of these. Due to limited availability of HBGVs, the mixture risk was assessed for a subset of 20 substance-biomarker pairs for adults and 17 for children. The mixture hazard index ranged from 2.8 (P50, children) to 9.2 (P95, adults). Six to seven substances contributed to over 95% of the total risk. MCR values ranged between 2.6 and 5.5, which is in a similar range as in previous studies based on human external exposures assessments. The limited coverage of substances included in the calculations and the application of a hazard index across toxicological endpoints argue for caution in the interpretation of the results. Nonetheless the analyses of MCR and MAF ceiling can help inform a possible mixture assessment factor (MAF) applicable to single substance risk assessment to account for exposure to unintentional mixtures.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Socianu & Stephanie K. Bopp & Eva Govarts & Liese Gilles & Jurgen Buekers & Marike Kolossa-Gehring & Thomas Backhaus & Antonio Franco, 2022. "Chemical Mixtures in the EU Population: Composition and Potential Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6121-:d:818066
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ann Colles & Dries Coertjens & Bert Morrens & Elly Den Hond & Melissa Paulussen & Liesbeth Bruckers & Eva Govarts & Adrian Covaci & Gudrun Koppen & Kim Croes & Vera Nelen & Nicolas Van Larebeke & Stef, 2021. "Human Biomonitoring Data Enables Evidence-Informed Policy to Reduce Internal Exposure to Persistent Organic Compounds: A Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-21, May.
    2. Paul S. Price & Xianglu Han, 2011. "Maximum Cumulative Ratio (MCR) as a Tool for Assessing the Value of Performing a Cumulative Risk Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-14, June.
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    1. Anna Nalbandyan-Schwarz & Kristine Bondo Pedersen & Anita Evenset & Eldbjørg Heimstad & Torkjel M. Sandanger & Päivi Myllynen & Arja Rautio, 2024. "Combined Contaminant Levels from Local Harvested Food Items in the Norwegian–Finnish–Russian Border Region," Resources, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-28, April.

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