Dose-response describes the correlation between exposure magnitude and health effect. Demonstrating that risk increases with dose supports causation, while its absence undermines it.
Threshold models posit a level below which no effect occurs, while linear no-threshold models assume risk at any exposure.
Alternative Names:
Dose-Response, Biological Gradient
Why it Matters?
Dose is the principle that separates toxicology from assumption, and it underlies the strongest defense arguments in exposure litigation: that the plaintiff's estimated exposure fell below any level associated with disease. It is also the basis for challenging any-exposure theories, which effectively abandon dose analysis. Which model applies to a given substance and endpoint is itself contested expert territory.
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Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Why does dose-response matter to causation?
What is the threshold versus linear debate?
