Symposium Webinar

Using New Approach Methodologies to Address Variability and Susceptibility Across Populations

Wednesday, October 26 – 9:00 a.m.-12 noon EDT
Thursday, October 27 – 9:00-10:30 a.m. EDT

Slides and video from the presentations are available below.

Different human populations exhibit different levels of susceptibility to toxic effects from chemical exposure, presenting a complex problem for chemical risk assessment. Human cell-based and computational new approach methodologies (NAMs) could potentially be used effectively to characterize susceptibility of different human populations.

NICEATM organized this symposium on using NAMs to address variability and susceptibility across populations. The virtual event attracted over 250 attendees representing government, academia, and a diversity of industrial and nongovernmental sectors. An interdisciplinary group of over 50 members was invited to participate in a discussion session following the symposium. The symposium identified:

• Opportunities for NAMs to provide relevant information on population variability and susceptibility to environmental chemicals.
• Information needs for population variability and susceptibility where NAMs could be designed or improved to fill those needs.

Speakers at the symposium highlighted information needs for population variability and susceptibility and considered where NAMs could be designed or improved to fill those needs. Case studies highlighted how NAMs (in vitro tests, in silico predictions, and tests using non-mammalian organisms) could be applied to address population variability and susceptibility factors such as life stage, genetics, comorbidities, lifestyle, and mixed exposures.

An important goal of the event was to initiate conversations among representatives of government, industry, academia, and the environmental justice community, so that collectively they might listen, learn, and build trust. Discussion participants stressed the importance of risk assessment activities being designed to protect all populations, especially the most vulnerable. In particular risk assessments should address cumulative exposure from both chemical and non-chemical stressors. The discussions identified barriers and opportunities for follow-up workshops that will address scientific, regulatory, and community perspectives and foster interdisciplinary collaborations to develop and implement the best, most responsive science in this area.

In advance of the symposium, a webinar series highlighted NAMs that incorporate variability and susceptibility into the evaluation of chemical safety. The webinar series, which concluded in early October, was co-organized by NICEATM and PCRM. Information about the webinar series, including recordings of past webinars, is available on the PCRM website.