Cumulative Risk Assessment (CRA): transforming the way we assess health risks

Environ Sci Technol. 2012 Oct 16;46(20):10868-74. doi: 10.1021/es3025353. Epub 2012 Sep 11.

Abstract

Human health risk assessments continue to evolve and now focus on the need for cumulative risk assessment (CRA). CRA involves assessing the combined risk from coexposure to multiple chemical and nonchemical stressors for varying health effects. CRAs are broader in scope than traditional chemical risk assessments because they allow for a more comprehensive evaluation of the interaction between different stressors and their combined impact on human health. Future directions of CRA include greater emphasis on local-level community-based assessments; integrating environmental, occupational, community, and individual risk factors; and identifying and implementing common frameworks and risk metrics for incorporating multiple stressors.

MeSH terms

  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Risk Assessment / methods