What are surrogate inhalation health benchmarks?
The MPCA conducts AERAs using peer-reviewed scientific information and toxicological values reviewed and approved by regulatory agencies in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health. The MDH also promulgates Health Risk Values (HRVs) and Health Based Values (HBVs), which are toxicity values used in the AERA process. When insufficient information is available to develop a toxicity value, the MPCA may use a surrogate inhalation health benchmark for another chemical to assess potential health risks from a related chemical or chemical mixture. This process is designed to be protective of public health, and is part of the screening process to identify chemicals of potential interest for further evaluation. An example of this in the RASS is the general chemical group of aldehydes which has a surrogate benchmark value originally belonging specifically to formaldehyde.
