Health effects classification and its role in the derivation of minimal risk levels: Reproductive and endocrine effects

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) derives health-based guidance values called minimal risk levels (MRLs) to assist with assessment of risks posed by exposures to hazardous chemicals. From the total of 326 MRLs currently posted on ATSDR’s web site (www.atsdr.cdc.gov), 14 and 5 MRLs are based on reproductive and endocrine endpoints, respectively. The paper also describes the ranking of effects into less serious and serious categories according to ATSDR’s Guidance for Developing Toxicological Profiles, endpoints used for the MRLs derivation, and the use of uncertainty factors.