QRA special issue
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology journal publishes a special issue on Research Institute for Fragrance Material's Dermal Sensitization Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) methodology, according to Nov. 18 release from RIFM. This is the most current and comprehensive publication of the methodology available, RIFM notes. "This new methodology is a major improvement over the former approach because it specifically addresses the elements of exposure-based risk assessment that are unique to the induction of dermal sensitization, while being consistent with the principles of general toxicology risk assessment," says Dr. Anne Marie Api, RIFM VP-human health sciences. Under QRA system, consumer products are grouped into 11 categories based on the level of exposure a consumer can expect from using the product; safe concentration limit is then set for a given fragrance ingredient in each category. RIFM is in talks with European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, which has hesitated to embrace QRA (1"The Rose Sheet" Oct. 27, 2008, p. 5). The six articles in the special QRA issue are available through the RIFM Web site