Author Archives: ricknelson

The Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Specialty Section of the Society of Toxicology recently awarded its Scientific Achievement Award to ToxStrategies Senior Consultant Dr. John Rogers. The Section presents this award annually to recognize a member’s lifetime contribution to the field of reproductive and developmental toxicology, including such factors as leadership, impact on the field, and mentorship. In presenting the award during the Section’s annual meeting, held virtually on May 3, Dr. Atlee Watson recognized Dr. Rogers’ career longevity, beginning with service in the EPA in the 1980s, as well as his active leadership in SOT and the RDTSS, and his role in numerous scientific panels, seminars, and continuing education initiatives.

ToxStrategies’ Senior Engineer/Industrial Hygienist Dr. LeeAnn Racz spoke on the topic of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), delivering a keynote address to the National Conference of the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals in March 2022. The widespread use of PFAS in many products and processes (e.g., electronics, textiles, lubricants, cookware, firefighting foams, and carpeting, to name a few) has resulted in global proliferation of these chemicals. The chemical and physical properties of PFAS vary widely, which leads to differences in their environmental persistence and potential for toxicity and bioaccumulation. Toxicology studies have reported harmful effects on animals, particularly at high doses, making PFAS a controversial topic among the public, regulators, and the scientific community. Dr. Racz discussed the evolution of perceptions and uses of PFAS over several decades and resulting trends in developing public policy, and she offered context for risk management.

Dr. Racz also made a technical presentation titled, “Embracing an Agile and Lean Six Sigma culture for worker health.” She discussed how process improvement frameworks have improved productivity, reduced waste, and increased quality in a variety of industries, concluding that occupational and environmental health safety (OEHS) professionals can strengthen their influence dramatically by empowering and enlisting participation from the workers they are charged with protecting.

Dr. Racz is a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer and Certified Industrial Hygienist with a background in environmental health and workplace exposure assessment. She completed a 23-year career with the U.S. Air Force before entering the consulting arena.

ToxStrategies scientist Dr. Kristina Ulrich, who practices in the United Kingdom, has been invited to serve on the selection panel for the UK Register of Toxicologists (UKRT), reviewing applicants for recognition as Registered Toxicologists. Established in 1993, the UKRT is sponsored by the Royal Society of Biology and the British Toxicology Society (BTS). Successful applicants are designated as UK Registered Toxicologists and are entitled to use the post-nominal “ERT” (EUROTOX Registered Toxicologist). Dr. Ulrich will initially serve a 4-year term on the selection panel, which consists of eight members representing a range of toxicological disciplines across academia, government, and the private sector. The panel meets three times each year, with two members reviewing each application.

Dr. Ulrich has held the UKRT+ERT designation since 2012. She currently serves on the BTS Education, Training and Career Development subcommittee, and her passion for toxicology career development in the UK has led her to play an active mentor role in the Society. Regarding her selection to the UKRT selection panel, she looks forward to “supporting the general activities of the UK network of toxicologists, as well as having an impact on the next generation of toxicologists joining the Register.”

A team of ToxStrategies and EpidStrategies scientists are authors on a manuscript being published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. The study examines current practices for assessing risk associated with environmental exposure to hexavalent chromium, comparing approaches based on margin of exposure to those using linear extrapolation. The authors assert that regulatory lung cancer potency estimates for Cr(VI) are based on outdated research, whereas more current mechanistic data support an epigenetic role for Cr(VI) and a non-mutagenic mode of action. The article cites a need for new epidemiology data to inform risk assessment of low-intensity exposures, concluding, however, that Cr(VI) in ambient air poses little concern for human health.

ToxStrategies scientists have developed a range of plausible toxicity values for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) based on application of systematic review methods and quantitative integration of dose response using meta-regression. This research is being published in the journal Toxicological Sciences and will advance risk assessments involving this class of compounds, providing important information to guide risk-based decision-making.

A recently published article by ToxStrategies scientists presents the systematic identification, appraisal, and integration of mechanistic data in an assessment of the potential carcinogenicity of the non-nutritive sweetener acesulfame K (Ace K). Based on the evaluation of more than 800 measurements/assay endpoints related to one or more key characteristics of carcinogens (KCC) reported in the literature, and via high-throughput screening data, the authors found a lack of evidence for activity across the mechanistic database. These results align with the overall lack of tumor response to Ace K in mammalian carcinogenicity studies, corroborating previous reports of a lack of carcinogenicity related to Ace K exposure. This open-access publication is the third in a series of assessments for non-nutritive sweeteners, following aspartame and sucralose, all published in Food and Chemical Toxicology.

A recently published article with ToxStrategies scientists Dr. Susan Borghoff and Dr. Janice Britt as co-authors presents the evaluation of mechanistic data in an assessment of potential neurobehavioral effects for the seven synthetic colors that are approved for use in food by the US FDA. The assessment was specific to in vitro and other new approach methods (NAMs). A systematic identification of molecular events potentially related to neuro-relevant processes and outcomes was conducted to enable mapping of high-throughput screening (HTS) assays from the ToxCast/Tox21 database to such molecular events and/or related genes. Based on the mapping, neuro-relevant HTS data for seven FDA-approved synthetic food colors were evaluated, as well as neuro-relevant NAMs data for the colors identified in published literature. The findings support an overall lack of neuro-related activity associated with the seven food colors, with the exception of neurotransmitter signaling by erythrosine. The open-access article was published in Food and Chemical Toxicology.

ToxStrategies was excited to exhibit, for the first time, at Supply Side West (SSW) on October 17 and 18, in Las Vegas. According to the trade association Food ingredients North America, more than 17,000 ingredient buyers and suppliers from the dietary supplement, food, beverage, personal care, and sports nutrition industries  attended SSW to learn about new trends and science from over 1,300 exhibitors and 140 hours of educational and conference programming.

ToxStrategies has a reputation for applying sound science and innovative solutions, and we work in the areas of hazard identification, risk assessment, GRAS evaluations, dietary supplements, FSMA , and label compliance for both human food and animal feed. Our highly experienced, multidisciplinary team helps clients ensure the use of safe and regulation-compliant ingredients.