Chemical Alternatives Assessment

Abstract

Abstract Chemical alternatives assessment (CAA) is an established methodology to identify alternate chemicals, materials, or product designs to substitute for the use of hazardous substances in products and processes. More than 20 CAA frameworks have been published to date, and many share similar features, such as problem scoping, hazard assessment, exposure characterization, technical feasibility, economic feasibility, decision analysis, and life cycle analysis. This chapter details the history and application of CAA frameworks and methods. The adoption of CAA continues to expand globally due to its incorporation into both regulatory and nonregulatory initiatives. The past 20 years have seen rapid changes in ways that toxicologists and product designers approach the problem of toxic ingredients in products, and in the development of tools and frameworks that support the practice of CAA. Assessing potential chemical substitutes as part of a CAA requires evaluation against numerous health, environmental, and physical hazard endpoints. Such multi‐attribute assessments include the evaluation of broad array of health and environmental toxicity and fate endpoints, and most chemicals have data gaps for one or more endpoints. Awareness of the need to assess a broad range of hazard endpoints coupled with the need to shift from in vivo animal testing has propelled the incorporation of new approach methodologies (NAMs) and integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATA) in chemical hazard assessments used in CAAs. When properly conducted, a chemical alternatives assessment provides the means to avoid regrettable substitutions and promotes the selection of safer chemicals or materials.