Characterization of glycidol-hemoglobin adducts as biomarkers of exposure and in vivo dose.

Hemoglobin adducts have been used as biomarkers of exposure to reactive chemicals. Glycidol, an animal carcinogen, has been reported to form N-(2,3-dihydroxy-propyl)valine adducts to hemoglobin (diHOPrVal). To support the use of these adducts as markers of glycidol exposure, we investigated the kinetics of diHOPrVal formation and its elimination in vitro and in vivo. Five groups of rats were orally administered a single dose of glycidol ranging from 0 to 75mg/kg bw, and diHOPrVal levels were measured 24h after administration. A dose-dependent increase in diHOPrVal levels was observed with high linearity (R(2)=0.943). Blood sampling at different time points (1, 10, 20, or 40days) from four groups administered glycidol at 12mg/kg bw suggested a linear decrease in diHOPrVal levels compatible with the normal turnover of rat erythrocytes (life span, 61days), with the calculated first-order elimination rate constant (kel) indicating that the diHOPrVal adduct was chemically stable. Then, we measured the second-order rate constant (kval) for the reaction of glycidol with N-terminal valine in rat and human hemoglobin in in vitro experiments with whole blood. The kval was 6.7±1.1 and 5.6±1.3 (pmol/g globin per µMh) in rat and human blood, respectively, indicating no species differences. In vivo doses estimated from kval and diHOPrVal levels were in agreement with the area under the (concentration-time) curve values determined in our earlier toxicokinetic study in rats. Our results indicate that diHOPrVal is a useful biomarker for quantification of glycidol exposure and for risk assessment.

The reconstructed skin micronucleus assay in EpiDerm™: reduction of false-positive results - a mechanistic study with epigallocatechin gallate.

The high rate of false-positive or misleading results in in vitro mammalian genotoxicity testing is a hurdle in the development of valuable chemicals, especially those used in cosmetics, for which in vivo testing is banned in the European Union. The reconstructed skin micronucleus (RSMN) assay in EpiDerm™ (MatTek Corporation, USA) has shown promise as a follow-up for positive in vitro mammalian genotoxicity tests. However, few studies have explored its better predictive performance compared with existing in vitro assays. In the present study, we followed the protocol of the RSMN assay and used eight chemicals to compare micronucleus (MN) induction with EpiDerm™ with that in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), both derived from human skin. The assessments of EpiDerm™ conformed to those of in vivo MN assay, whereas those of NHEKs did not. The effect of cell differentiation status on MN induction was further addressed using a model compound, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a major component of green tea extract that shows positive results in in vitro mammalian genotoxicity assays via oxidative stress and negative results in in vivo MN studies. RSMN assay in an underdeveloped epidermal model, EpiDerm-201™ (MatTek Corporation), showed a negative result identical to that in EpiDerm™, indicating that the barrier function of keratinocytes has limited impact. Analysis of the gene expression profile of both EpiDerm™ and NHEKs after EGCG treatment for 12h revealed that the expression of genes related to genotoxic response was significantly induced only in NHEKs. Conversely, antioxidative enzyme activities (catalase and glutathione peroxidase) in EpiDerm™ were higher than those in NHEKs. These results indicate that EpiDerm™ has antioxidant properties similar to those of a living body and is capable of eliminating oxidative stress that may be caused by EGCG under in vitro experimental conditions.

Bisphenol-A reduces DNA methylation after metabolic activation.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an important environmental contaminant with adverse health effects suspected to be mediated through epigenetic mechanisms. We had reported that the FLO1-dependent flocculation of transgenic yeast expressing human DNA methyltransferase (DNMT yeast) is a useful tool in epigenotoxicology studies. In this report, we have investigated the effects of BPA in the presence of metabolic activation (S-9 mix) on the transcription level of the FLO1 gene in the DNMT yeast. In the presence of metabolic activation, BPA inhibited the intensity of green fluorescence reporter protein (GFP) driven by the FLO1 promoter. A metabolite of BPA, 4-methyl-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl) pent-1-ene (MBP), also exhibited similar inhibitory effect. Furthermore, BPA in the presence of S-9 mix had only a weak while MBP had no inhibitory effects on the expression of modified GFP reporter gene under the control of FLO1 promoter with reduced CpG motifs. Aforementioned behavior was confirmed by the inhibition of flocculation as well as FLO1 gene mRNA expression. In addition, the global DNA methylation level in the human HEK293 cells was also reduced by MBP. These results indicate that BPA metabolites have inhibitory effect on DNA methylation. Our approach offers a novel in vitro method for screening for chemicals that can alter the epigenome by a mechanism dependent on their metabolic activation.

In vitro genotoxicity test approaches with better predictivity: summary of an IWGT workshop.

Improving current in vitro genotoxicity tests is an ongoing task for genetic toxicologists. Further, the question on how to deal with positive in vitro results that are demonstrated to not predict genotoxicity or carcinogenicity potential in rodents or humans is a challenge. These two aspects were addressed at the 5th International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT) held in Basel, Switzerland, on August 17-19, 2009. The objectives of the working group (WG) were to make recommendations on the use of cell types or lines, if possible, and to provide evaluations of promising new approaches. Results obtained in rodent cell lines with impaired p53 function (L5178Y, V79, CHL and CHO cells) and human p53-competent cells (peripheral blood lymphocytes, TK6 and HepG2 cells) suggest that a reduction in the percentage of non-relevant positive results for carcinogenicity prediction can be achieved by careful selection of cells used without decreasing the sensitivity of the assays. Therefore, the WG suggested using p53- competent - preferably human - cells in in vitro micronucleus or chromosomal aberration tests. The use of the hepatoma cell line HepaRG for genotoxicity testing was considered promising since these cells possess better phase I and II metabolizing potential compared to cell lines commonly used in this area and may overcome the need for the addition of S9. For dermally applied compounds, the WG agreed that in vitro reconstructed skin models, once validated, will be useful to follow up on positive results from standard in vitro assays as they resemble the properties of human skin (barrier function, metabolism). While the reconstructed skin micronucleus assay has been shown to be further advanced, there was also consensus that the Comet assay should be further evaluated due to its independence from cell proliferation and coverage of a wider spectrum of DNA damage.

Development of a new quantitative structure-activity relationship model for predicting Ames mutagenicity of food flavor chemicals using StarDrop™ auto-Modeller™.

BACKGROUND: Food flavors are relatively low molecular weight chemicals with unique odor-related functional groups that may also be associated with mutagenicity. These chemicals are often difficult to test for mutagenicity by the Ames test because of their low production and peculiar odor. Therefore, application of the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) approach is being considered. We used the StarDrop™ Auto-Modeller™ to develop a new QSAR model. RESULTS: In the first step, we developed a new robust Ames database of 406 food flavor chemicals consisting of existing Ames flavor chemical data and newly acquired Ames test data. Ames results for some existing flavor chemicals have been revised by expert reviews. We also collected 428 Ames test datasets for industrial chemicals from other databases that are structurally similar to flavor chemicals. A total of 834 chemicals' Ames test datasets were used to develop the new QSAR models. We repeated the development and verification of prototypes by selecting appropriate modeling methods and descriptors and developed a local QSAR model. A new QSAR model "StarDrop NIHS 834_67" showed excellent performance (sensitivity: 79.5%, specificity: 96.4%, accuracy: 94.6%) for predicting Ames mutagenicity of 406 food flavors and was better than other commercial QSAR tools. CONCLUSIONS: A local QSAR model, StarDrop NIHS 834_67, was customized to predict the Ames mutagenicity of food flavor chemicals and other low molecular weight chemicals. The model can be used to assess the mutagenicity of food flavors without actual testing.

Screening for Ames mutagenicity of food flavor chemicals by (quantitative) structure-activity relationship.

BACKGROUND: (Quantitative) Structure-Activity Relationship ((Q)SAR) is a promising approach to predict the potential adverse effects of chemicals based on their structure without performing toxicological studies. We evaluate the mutagenicity of food flavor chemicals by (Q) SAR tools, identify potentially mutagenic chemicals, and verify their mutagenicity by actual Ames test. RESULTS: The Ames mutagenicity of 3942 food flavor chemicals was predicted using two (Q)SAR) tools, DEREK Nexus and CASE Ultra. Three thousand five hundred seventy-five chemicals (91%) were judged to be negative in both (Q) SAR tools, and 75 chemicals (2%) were predicted to be positive in both (Q) SAR tools. When the Ames test was conducted on ten of these positive chemicals, nine showed positive results. CONCLUSION: The (Q) SAR method can be used for screening the mutagenicity of food flavors.

Involvement of hydrogen peroxide in chromosomal aberrations induced by green tea catechins in vitro and implications for risk assessment.

Catechins, which are polyphenol compounds found in abundance in green tea, have elicited high interest due to their beneficial effects on health. Catechins have also been demonstrated to induce chromosomal aberrations in vitro, although no clastogenicity was confirmed in studies in vivo. We investigated the mechanism of catechin-induced chromosomal aberrations in CHL/IU cells. Addition of catalase suppressed chromosomal aberrations, indicating involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). We confirmed that substantial amounts of H2O2 are generated when catechins are incubated under in vitro culture conditions, whereas, interestingly, extremely low amounts of H2O2 were detected when catechins were incubated at the same concentration in water. Generation of H2O2 increased steeply above pH 6, indicating that pH is a key factor in determining how much H2O2 is generated via catechins in vitro. Our assessment indicates that humans have practically non-existent exposure to H2O2 when catechins are ingested in a beverage. Polyphenols, including catechins, are known to act as antioxidants due to their reducing potential. However, under in vitro culture conditions, catechins are thought to act primarily as pro-oxidants by reducing ambient or dissolved oxygen to form H2O2. Based on the above observations, we conclude that in vitro culture conditions as currently employed are inappropriate to address genotoxicity concerns regarding polyphenols, including catechins.

Necessity for retrospective evaluation of past-positive chemicals in in vitro chromosomal aberration tests using recommended cytotoxicity indices.

We have demonstrated that retrospective evaluation of existing data of in vitro chromosomal aberration test using the new cytotoxicity indices RICC (relative increase in cell count) or RPD (relative population doubling) reduces the false-positive rate. We have constructed an algorithm to predict the likelihood that past-positive results would differ when retested accordingly. Here, we emphasize the importance of reviewing existing in vitro chromosomal aberration test results. The present Letter not only supports the rediscovery of potentially useful chemicals excluded from further development as a result of misclassification due to in vitro false-positive results, but also contributes to the development of a precise Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) model by providing an appropriate training data-set. Furthermore, re-evaluation is expected to provide novel insights into underlying mechanisms and/or key structures involved in the development of chromosomal aberrations.

A retrospective evaluation method for in vitro mammalian genotoxicity tests using cytotoxicity index transformation formulae.

Although in vitro chromosomal aberration tests and micronucleus tests have been widely used for genotoxicity evaluation, false-positive results have been reported under strong cytotoxic conditions. To reduce false-positive results, the new Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guideline (TG) recommends the use of a new cytotoxicity index, relative increase in cell count or relative population doubling (RICC/RPD), instead of the traditionally used index, relative cell count (RCC). Although the use of the RICC/RPD may result in different outcomes and require re-evaluation of tested substances, it is impractical to re-evaluate all existing data. Therefore, we established a method to estimate test results from existing RCC data. First, we developed formulae to estimate RICC/RPD from RCC without cell counts by considering cell doubling time and experiment time. Next, the accuracy of the cytotoxicity index transformation formulae was verified by comparing estimated RICC/RPD and measured RICC/RPD for 3 major chemicals associated with false-positive genotoxicity test results: ethyl acrylate, eugenol and p-nitrophenol. Moreover, 25 compounds with false-positive in vitro chromosomal aberration (CA) test results were re-evaluated to establish a retrospective evaluation method based on derived estimated RICC/RPD values. The estimated RICC/RPD values were in good agreement with the measured RICC/RPD values for every concentration and chemical, and the estimated RICC suggested the possibility that 12 chemicals (48%) with previously judged false-positive results in fact had negative results. Our method enables transformation of RCC data into RICC/RPD values with a high degree of accuracy and will facilitate comprehensive retrospective evaluation of test results.

Modified Ames test using a strain expressing human sulfotransferase 1C2 to assess the mutagenicity of methyleugenol.

INTRODUCTION: Several alkenylbenzenes, including methyleugenol (ME), are present in a wide range of botanicals and exhibit carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Negative results are generally obtained for alkenylbenzenes in standard in vitro genotoxicity tests, including the Ames test. A lack of mutagenicity observed in such tests is thought to result from impaired metabolic activation of alkenylbenzenes via hydroxylation, with subsequent sulfoconjugation to its ultimate mutagenic or carcinogenic form. Although recent studies have reported the mutagenicity of hydroxylated ME metabolites in the Ames test using modified TA100 strains expressing human sulfotransferases (SULTs), to our knowledge, the detection of ME mutagenicity has not yet been reported. FINDINGS: Using strain TA100-hSULT1C2, which expresses human SULT1C2, we optimized the protein content of S9 Mix and the pre-incubation time required to promote metabolic activation in the Ames test. This procedure enabled us to obtain a positive response with ME. CONCLUSIONS: We established Ames-test conditions enabling the detection of ME-induced mutagenicity, using a strain expressing human SULT1C2 in the presence of induced-rat S9 Mix. This simple approach will help assess the mutagenicity of other alkenylbenzenes and related chemicals.

Repeated-dose liver and gastrointestinal tract micronucleus assays with CI Solvent Yellow 14 (Sudan I) using young adult rats.

The in vivo genotoxicity of CI Solvent Yellow 14 (Sudan I) was examined using repeated-dose liver and gastrointestinal tract micronucleus (MN) assays in young adult rats. Sudan I is a mono-azo dye based on aniline and 1-amino-2-hydroxynaphthalene. This dye was demonstrated as a rat liver carcinogen in a National Toxicology Program (NTP) bioassay, and genotoxicity was noted in a rat bone marrow micronucleus (BMMN) assay. In the present study, Sudan I was administered orally to rats for 14-days, and the MN frequency in the liver, stomach, colon, and bone marrow were analyzed. The frequency of micronucleated hepatocytes (MNHEPs) was not significantly increased by the administration of the Sudan I. Gastrointestinal tract MNs were also not induced. However, in the BMMN assay, a significant increase in micronucleated immature erythrocytes (MNIMEs) was observed in a dose-dependent manner. While Sudan I has been reported to lack hepatic genotoxicity, it has also exhibited tumor-promoting activities. These results are consistent with the lack of induction of MN in the hepatocytes. The lack of MN induction in cells of the gastrointestinal tract was also logical because azo-compounds are reported to be unlikely to induce DNA damage in the rat gut. The repeated-dose rat liver and gastrointestinal tract MN assays have the potential to be used in the evaluation of the genotoxicity of a chemical in each organ in accordance with its mode of action.

IWGT report on quantitative approaches to genotoxicity risk assessment I. Methods and metrics for defining exposure-response relationships and points of departure (PoDs).

This report summarizes the discussion, conclusions, and points of consensus of the IWGT Working Group on Quantitative Approaches to Genetic Toxicology Risk Assessment (QWG) based on a meeting in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil October 31-November 2, 2013. Topics addressed included (1) the need for quantitative dose-response analysis, (2) methods to analyze exposure-response relationships & derive point of departure (PoD) metrics, (3) points of departure (PoD) and mechanistic threshold considerations, (4) approaches to define exposure-related risks, (5) empirical relationships between genetic damage (mutation) and cancer, and (6) extrapolations across test systems and species. This report discusses the first three of these topics and a companion report discusses the latter three. The working group critically examined methods for determining point of departure metrics (PoDs) that could be used to estimate low-dose risk of genetic damage and from which extrapolation to acceptable exposure levels could be made using appropriate mode of action information and uncertainty factors. These included benchmark doses (BMDs) derived from fitting families of exponential models, the No Observed Genotoxic Effect Level (NOGEL), and "threshold" or breakpoint dose (BPD) levels derived from bilinear models when mechanistic data supported this approach. The QWG recognizes that scientific evidence suggests that thresholds below which genotoxic effects do not occur likely exist for both DNA-reactive and DNA-nonreactive substances, but notes that small increments of the spontaneous level cannot be unequivocally excluded either by experimental measurement or by mathematical modeling. Therefore, rather than debating the theoretical possibility of such low-dose effects, emphasis should be placed on determination of PoDs from which acceptable exposure levels can be determined by extrapolation using available mechanistic information and appropriate uncertainty factors. This approach places the focus on minimization of the genotoxic risk, which protects against the risk of the development of diseases resulting from the genetic damage. Based on analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each method, the QWG concluded that the order of preference of PoD metrics is the statistical lower bound on the BMD > the NOGEL > a statistical lower bound on the BPD. A companion report discusses the use of these metrics in genotoxicity risk assessment, including scaling and uncertainty factors to be considered when extrapolating below the PoD and/or across test systems and to the human.

IWGT report on quantitative approaches to genotoxicity risk assessment II. Use of point-of-departure (PoD) metrics in defining acceptable exposure limits and assessing human risk.

This is the second of two reports from the International Workshops on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT) Working Group on Quantitative Approaches to Genetic Toxicology Risk Assessment (the QWG). The first report summarized the discussions and recommendations of the QWG related to the need for quantitative dose-response analysis of genetic toxicology data, the existence and appropriate evaluation of threshold responses, and methods to analyze exposure-response relationships and derive points of departure (PoDs) from which acceptable exposure levels could be determined. This report summarizes the QWG discussions and recommendations regarding appropriate approaches to evaluate exposure-related risks of genotoxic damage, including extrapolation below identified PoDs and across test systems and species. Recommendations include the selection of appropriate genetic endpoints and target tissues, uncertainty factors and extrapolation methods to be considered, the importance and use of information on mode of action, toxicokinetics, metabolism, and exposure biomarkers when using quantitative exposure-response data to determine acceptable exposure levels in human populations or to assess the risk associated with known or anticipated exposures. The empirical relationship between genetic damage (mutation and chromosomal aberration) and cancer in animal models was also examined. It was concluded that there is a general correlation between cancer induction and mutagenic and/or clastogenic damage for agents thought to act via a genotoxic mechanism, but that the correlation is limited due to an inadequate number of cases in which mutation and cancer can be compared at a sufficient number of doses in the same target tissues of the same species and strain exposed under directly comparable routes and experimental protocols.

Species differences in toxicokinetic parameters of glycidol after a single dose of glycidol or glycidol linoleate in rats and monkeys.

Glycidol fatty acid esters (GEs) have been identified as contaminants in refined edible oils. Although the possible release of glycidol (G) from GEs is a concern, little is known about the conversion of GEs to G in the human body. This study addressed the toxicokinetics of glycidol linoleate (GL) and G in male Crl:CD(SD) rats and cynomolgus monkeys. Equimolar amounts of GL (341 mg/kg) or G (75 mg/kg) were administered by gavage to each animal. G was found in both species after the G and GL administration, while plasma GL concentrations were below the lower limit of quantification (5 ng/ml) in both species. In rats, the administration of GL or G produced similar concentration-time profiles for G. In monkeys, the C(max) and AUC values after GL administration were significantly lower than those after G administration. The oral bioavailability of G in monkeys (34.3%) was remarkably lower than that in rats (68.8%) at 75 mg/kg G administration. In addition, plasma G concentrations after oral administration at three lower doses of GL or G were measured in both species. In monkeys, G was detected only at the highest dose of G. In contrast, the rats exhibited similar plasma G concentration-time profiles after GL or G administration with significantly higher G levels than those in monkeys. In conclusion, these results indicate that there are remarkable species differences in the toxicokinetics of GEs and G between rodents and primates, findings that should be considered when assessing the human risk of GEs.

Glycidol exposure evaluation of humans who have ingested diacylglycerol oil containing glycidol fatty acid esters using hemoglobin adducts.

Glycidol fatty acid esters (GEs) have been found as impurities in refined edible oils including diacylglycerol (DAG) oil, and concerns of possible exposure to glycidol (G), a known animal carcinogen, during digestion have been raised. We previously measured N-(2,3-dihydroxy-propyl)valine (diHOPrVal), a G hemoglobin adduct, for DAG oil exposed and non-exposed groups and showed there was no significant difference between them. In the present study, we conducted an additional analysis to verify the outcome of the previous report. The first experiment was designed as a matched case-control study to adjust variables with an increased sample size. The average levels of diHOPrVal were 6.9 pmol/g-globin (95%CI: 4.9-9.0) for 14 DAG oil exposed subjects and 7.3 pmol/g-globin (95%CI: 6.1-8.5) for 42 non-exposed volunteers, and no significant difference in levels was found between the two groups. In a second experiment, we compared the adduct levels of 12 DAG oil exposed subjects before and after discontinuing use of DAG oil, and found there was no significant change in diHOPrVal levels (from 7.1±1.1 to 7.5±1.4 pmol/g-globin). These results suggest that there was no increased exposure to G for humans who ingested DAG oil daily, although the evaluated population was limited.

Genotoxicity studies of glycidol fatty acid ester (glycidol linoleate) and glycidol.

Glycidol fatty acid esters (GEs) are found in refined edible oils. Safety concerns have been alleged due to the possible release of glycidol (G), an animal carcinogen. We evaluated the genotoxic potential of glycidol linoleate (GL), a primary GE found in an edible oil (diacylglycerol oil), and G, using three established genotoxicity tests (a bacterial reverse mutation test, an in vitro chromosomal aberration test, and an in vivo bone marrow micronucleus test) under GLP conditions complying with all OECD guidelines. In the bacterial reverse mutation test, GL and G showed positive responses. The positive responses of GL were less than those of G and observed only in strains detecting point mutations where G showed remarkably positive responses. G was involved in the positive response of GL. In the chromosomal aberration test, GL did not induce chromosome aberrations whereas G induced structural chromosome aberrations in the presence and absence of metabolic activation. In the bone marrow micronucleus test, neither GL nor G induced significant increases of micronucleated immature (polychromatic) erythrocytes in bone marrow of test animals. Based on the above results as well as pertinent information on toxicokinetics, GL itself does not play a key role in genotoxic action.

Measurement of glycidol hemoglobin adducts in humans who ingest edible oil containing small amounts of glycidol fatty acid esters.

Hemoglobin (Hb) adducts are frequently used to address and/or monitor exposure to reactive chemicals. Glycidol (G), a known animal carcinogen, has been reported to form Hb adducts. Here, we measure G adduct levels in humans who daily ingest DAG oil, an edible oil consisting mainly of diacylglycerol. Since DAG oil contains a small amount of glycidol fatty acid esters (GEs), possible exposure to G released from GEs has been raised as a possible concern. For measurement of Hb adducts, we employed the N-alkyl Edman method reported by Landin et al. (1996) using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with minor modifications to detect G-Hb adducts as N-(2,3-dihydroxy-propyl)valine (diHOPrVal). Blood samples were collected from 7 DAG oil users and 6 non-users, and then G-Hb adduct levels were measured. G-Hb adducts were detected in all samples. The average level of diHOPrVal was 3.5±1.9pmol/g globin in the DAG oil users and 7.1±3.1pmol/g globin in the non-users. We conclude that there is no increased exposure to G in individuals who daily ingest DAG oil.

Balancing risks.

Regulatory policies designed to reduce the health risk of environmental and/or synthetic chemicals generally aim for zero or negligible levels. Foods, on the other hand, especially those with a long history in the human diet, have been treated as essentially safe, even though they too contain various chemicals including nutrients. The recent debate on the presence in food of acrylamide, a possible human carcinogen, is likely to shake up the traditional paradigm held by regulatory agencies on chemical health risks. The current stance on the safety of acrylamide in food seems to be an extension of the traditional approach to assessment of environmental and/or synthetic chemicals. However, even foods which have long been a part of the human diet contain components that do not necessarily meet the safety margins applied to environmental and/or synthetic chemicals. In the future, a greater understanding of the effect of these agents on biological systems as well as the development of analytical methods for testing will result in many questions being raised concerning chemicals in foods, such as acrylamide which is under scrutiny today. Regulatory policies currently employ various standards for controlling chemical risk. These standards are dependent upon the labeling of the chemical in question, e.g., whether carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic, synthetic or natural, or whether a food or industrial chemical. Regardless of labeling, all chemicals to which we are exposed should be evaluated on an equal footing. Then, according to the level of the identified health risk, regulations could or could not be applied based on local circumstances, e.g., public acceptance, voluntary risk vs. involuntary risk, etc. In order to create a standardized system for chemical risk assessment, the introduction of uniform measures is essential. Loss of life expectancy (LLE) is one possible measure to assess chemical health risk. When LLE has been used, animal toxicity data have indicated that an ad libitum diet intake has considerably more impact on health risk than the acrylamide concentration of the ingested food. Reassessing the health effects of chemicals with a system of uniform measures could reveal many risks that need to be preferentially addressed above and beyond keeping minor toxicants to zero or negligible levels. Recognition of such risks may result in changes that conflict with existing regulations. In any case, whether consciously or unconsciously, people have always been exposed to a certain degree of chemical risk in their daily life. Based on the premise that the public can accept some degree of chemical risk in balance with other risks in their lives, regulatory bodies should be able to take a flexible and effective approach. In order to efficiently and comprehensively maximize the protection of our health against potential harm from chemicals using limited public resources, it is now time for regulatory agencies to restructure their policy frameworks across categories for controlling chemical health risks.