Carcinogenic substances present in the general and occupational environment. Considerations on the establishment or choice of Human Toxicity Values (HTVs).
Human toxicity values (HTVs) enable a qualitative, and even quantitative, relationship to be established between a health effect and human exposure. They are established through a highly structured and demanding procedure involving collective assessments by groups of specialists, and are also widely used in the assessment of health risks, a decision-making process aiming to provide the scientific elements required for proposing preventive or corrective actions by risk managers. Their establishment and use are therefore part of a complex procedure, with major consequences in terms of public health.
In 2002, work undertaken by the CSHPF on glycol ethers in consumer products prompted it to propose discussions on HTVs within the competent national bodies on the one hand and the organisation and reinforcement of French expertise in this field on the other. In February 2004, Afsset issued an internal solicited request on this subject to enable France to participate in current and future European and international work. To continue this objective, it appeared necessary to form a sound French expert base on the matter, shared by the various competent bodies.
The extensive scope covered by the notion of HTV prompted Afsset to organise the work initially around reprotoxic chemical substances. Based on the conclusive results of the study conducted particularly to analyse and identify reprotoxic HTV quality criteria, Afsset wanted to extend this scope to the field of carcinogenic chemical substances in line with the mission it had been entrusted under the Cancer Plan. A national public health priority and priority action of the French National Health and Environment Plan (PNSE) for the general population and occupational environment, cancer is still the leading cause of death in men and the second in women in France, with a substantial occupational contribution. 
In 2002, the work undertaken by the CSHPF on glycol ethers in consumer products prompted discussions on HTVs within the competent national bodies and French expertise in this field to be organised and reinforced.
In February 2004, Afsset issued an internal solicited request on the subject. The extensive scope covered by the notion of HTV prompted Afsset to organise the work initially around reprotoxic chemical substances. Based on the conclusive results of the study conducted particularly to analyse and identify reprotoxic HTV quality criteria, Afsset wanted to extend this scope to the field of carcinogenic chemical substances in line with the mission it had been entrusted under the Cancer Plan. The longer-term objective of the project is to meet the needs of the public health system in France (for example, establishment of reference values recommended in the environment) and to propose the expert assessment thus conducted in France at European level (setting up of a network of European partners on the subject, initiated for the project "HTVs and reprotoxic substances" from 2005).
For each of the substances described, the work conducted by the Agency seeks above all to: 
Develop a reference methodology applicable to HTV establishment, based on the quality and quantity of data available for the substance in question; to test the operational character of the method developed, the HTVs for some pilot substances will be established by other organisations and teams; Initiate discussions on prioritising the substances to be studied.
The longer-term objective of the project is to meet the needs of the public health system in France (for example, establishment of reference values recommended in the environment) and to propose the expert assessment thus conducted in France at European level (setting up of a network of European partners on the subject, initiated for the project "HTVs and reprotoxic substances" from 2005).
Working method:
A working group involving various ad hoc bodies was formed in early 2005. Its members included in particular: Afssa, InVS, Ineris, INRS, IRSN, CAPTVs, UIC, Inserm, CNAM, Inra, CEA and the IARC.
This working group will draw up a document defining the methodological framework for selecting or establishing HTVs specific to carcinogenic effects.
The list of different establishment methods and the practical analysis of HTVs for carcinogenic substances already established will help to identify the critical points relating to HTVs for carcinogenic substances which will be discussed in detail at the group's meetings.
Following this stage, the determination of quality criteria for analysing HTVs for carcinogenic substances will enable a document to be drawn up, defining the methodological framework for selecting or establishing HTVs specific to carcinogenic effects.
Then, a feasibility stage will be envisaged in the framework of a restricted consultation to put into practice the method developed on chemical substances of interest to public health or integrated into issues of interest such as the quality of indoor air. This stage will identify any improvements to be made to the method so as to finalise the methodological document.
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