CANCER RISK ASSESSMENT - A TRANSATLANTIC PERSPECTIVE

Serious differences in opinions about quantitative cancer risk assessm ent have developed between scientists and regulators in North America and Europe. In North America mathematical modeling is accepted as a pr agmatic tool although it tends to be applied inflexibly. In Europe mat hematical approaches have been rejected and their potential benefits i gnored. Recent developments on both sides of the Atlantic are showing a gradual shift in opinions. It is important that an international con sensus is reached soon before differences in philosophy result in unne cessary trade disputes.