Implications for human health risk assessment

Human health risk assessment has traditionally involved looking at the potential health effects of environmental contaminants on a chemical-by-chemical basis, or at times, by groups of chemicals.  Current and emerging knowledge about epigenetics, however, may eventually impact the way scientists assess the health risks from environmental exposures.  We now know that we must look at genetic, exposure and regulation across time and within a broader context.  Epigenetics provides this frame yet few examples for its use in risk assessment are available.  Context from Social/Ecological Models can allow us to include neighborhood and Environmental justice issues needed to frame the potential for epigenetics to impact public health and normal development and to differentially impact undeserved communities. This presentation will conclude the session by discussing the potential implications of epigenetics research for human health risk assessment.