Safe and Sustainable Alternatives Research Program

National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The value for this program will ultimately be realized by meaningful reduction of human health risks before they occur. In the near term, approaches that create essential context for hazard characterization and toxicological application, in partnership with external stakeholders (e.g., U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), will be used to measure success and guide the evolution of program strategy. Given the emergence of promising toxicology tools and integration of human ADME-TK, this program represents an exciting opportunity to bridge translational gaps that would enable more proactive evaluations of environmental health hazard potential and rigorous toxicology research. Key to success for this program will be focused progression of several flagship projects and strengthening partnerships across historical barriers to synergistically advance proactive assessment approaches. Although next-generation chemicals and products are often purported to be better and safer than those they are replacing, limited safety information is typically available regarding their potential for human health effects. Unfortunately, associations of environmental chemicals with human health effects are primarily identified retrospectively (e.g., PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)). Ideally, more proactive strategies would also be a part of the solution. The DNTP has contributed to addressing these challenges through numerous toxicology studies, advances with computational models, and in vitro toxicology screening (e.g., Tox21). While these efforts have created a broader context of mechanistic information toward read-across and proactive toxicology assessments, their direct translational relevance to assess new alternative substances is often limited and lacks integration of ADME and hazard information. DNTP seeks to more precisely understand the potential for environmental health effects that incorporate the interindividual variability of internal exposure in context with health effects that includes susceptible populations (e.g., disease states, environmental drivers of health disparities). This type of precision health research is essential for more quantitative approach methods in toxicology that intentionally address the potential for environmental health hazards for the most sensitive individuals. The SSA Program is primarily oriented toward responsive research needs identified in partnership with external stakeholders. The designs seek to provide quantitative/actionable methods and information with efficient and timely delivery. Building on the DNTP's strong "brand" of trusted science in support of decision-making with environmental chemicals and 21st Century toxicology screening, the SSA Program will facilitate green chemistry approaches and identification of safer alternatives through innovative tools and approaches that leverage all components of the Translational Toxicology Pipeline. Ultimately, facilitating prevention of hazardous substances being introduced into the marketplace through advances in environmental toxicology can break the cycle of regrettable substitutions and genuinely provide safer and sustainable alternatives.