Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP
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Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. · Apr 2008
ReviewCould charcoal filtration of cigarette smoke reduce smoking-induced disease? A review of the literature.
A review of the published work with charcoal-filtered cigarettes indicates that there are reductions in the concentrations for many gas-vapor phase constituents found in mainstream smoke. However, charcoal filters provided no apparent capacity for reduction of smoke particulate phase components. The reductions in gas-vapor phase smoke chemistry analytes generally correspond with findings of reduced toxicological activity, principally related to a reduction in the cytotoxic action of the volatile smoke constituents. ⋯ There do not appear to be any published studies using a combination of data from the different disciplines based on a consistently designed charcoal cigarette filter. Although the literature presently available would suggest that smoke filtration provided by current charcoal filter techniques alone may not be substantial enough to reduce smoking-related disease, the data are limited. Therefore, for the reduction of smoking-induced disease, it is difficult to come to a definitive conclusion regarding the potential health benefits of using charcoal as a smoke filtration technology.
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Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. · Apr 2008
Improving the quality of risk assessments in Canada using a principle-based approach.
In 2000, the Government of Canada issued the "Framework for Science and Technology Advice" (FSTA). This official government policy directive mandates that decision-making to protect human health and the environment should be carried out in a timely, predictable, and efficient manner. It also leaves no doubt that quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) are required for both technical data and the decision-making process itself. ⋯ This scheme addresses the FSTA requirement for a policy compliance checklist. It could serve as the basis for quality assurance audits during risk assessment production and quality control audits in subsequent review of the risk assessment process. Among other things, it could also improve the integration of science advice, policy objectives and general risk communication by enhancing decision-making openness and transparency.