Introduction to Read-across: Principles, Techniques and Frameworks
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Read-across is a popular methodology that allows predictions to be made for a variety of endpoints using experimental data from a source analogue(s) that is deemed to be similar to the target chemical(s). Read-across evaluations are endpoint-specific and include analogue- and category-based approaches. The utility of read-across in human health assessment expands to qualitative and quantitative predictions of potential chemical hazards and across a landscape of risk decision contexts with applications in both regulatory and industry settings. This presentation will provide an overview of common principles and techniques employed in read-across, outlining available frameworks and guidelines for best practices in conducting and documenting read-across justifications. Examples of the practical implementation of read-across for developing Provisional Peer-reviewed Toxicity Values for data-poor chemicals of interest to the US EPA Superfund program will be highlighted. Challenges and future prospects for advancing the practice and application of read-across will be discussed, including opportunities to integrate new approach methods.