First comprehensive guidance on chemical immunotoxicity

First comprehensive guidance on chemical immunotoxicity



Filling a gap in the field of chemical risk assessment, WHO

World Health Organization 2012

Available online PDF [333p.] at: http://bit.ly/JC8EPQ



Immunotoxicity is a specialized field, encompassing allergy, suppression or enhancement of the immune system, autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. Immunotoxic effects are responsible for a range of human diseases and disorders, ranging from minor to life-threatening or severely impacting quality of life.


This new WHO publication is aimed at the generalist risk assessor, providing triggers for when specialist immunotoxicity advice might be needed in a chemical risk assessment. The aim of the guidance is therefore to facilitate identification of chemicals of potential concern for immunotoxic effects, so that human exposure to immunotoxic concentrations of chemicals can be prevented or reduced.