Using both validated and alternative assays to assess the effects, benefits, and disadvantages of available fuel and additive options

Fuel and Fuel Additive Toxicity Testing Plan

A national governmental agency wanted to design a testing plan to assess the safety of new fuels and fuel additives from a human health standpoint. The agency approached our Health Sciences Advisory team to help them understand the range of health effects known to be associated with evaporative and combustive emissions from fuels and fuel additives.

We reviewed the toxicity literature concerning these emissions from fuels including diesel, volatile organic compounds commonly found in these emissions, and metals used as fuel additives or found as impurities in crude oil. Based on the identified key health effects for these chemicals and mixtures, we then reviewed available biological assays to assess the full range of health effects. Drawing upon the weight of evidence for the likely health effects associated with fuels and fuel additives, we provided recommendations for using both validated and alternative assays to assess these effects, which included an evaluation of the benefits and disadvantages of the available options.

The government agency went on to use the tools and recommendations to develop and implement a tiered toxicity testing strategy for evaluating new fuels and fuel additives.