A Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Assessment of Tetrachloroethylene in Groundwater for a Bathing and Showering Determination |
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| Authors: | Hari V Rao David R Brown |
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| Affiliation: | Environmental Epidemiology and Occupational Health Division, Connecticut Department of Health Services, 150 Washington Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06106.;To whom all correspondence should be addressed. |
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| Abstract: | A two-step methodology is described to make a health-based determination for the bathing and showering use of the water from a private well contaminated with volatile organic chemicals. The chemical perchloroethylene (PERC) is utilized to illustrate the approach. First, a chemical-specific exposure model is used to predict the concentration of PERC in the shower air, shower water, and in the air above the bathtub. Second, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model is used to predict the concentration of PERC delivered to the target tissue, the brain, since the focus is on neurological endpoints. The simulation exercise includes concurrent dermal and inhalation routes of exposure. A reference target tissue level (RTTL) in the brain is estimated using the PBPK model. A hazard index based on this benchmark guideline is used to make a regulatory determination for bathing and showering use of the contaminated water. |
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| Keywords: | Volatile organics in well water perchloroethylene (Perc) bathing and showering use regulatory determination exposure and PBPK modeling reference target tissue level hazard index |
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