Companies are increasingly committed to characterizing and communicating chemical hazards and risks to workers and the general public. Gradient understands the importance of having a robust understanding of the hazards and risks of the ingredients in branded products, including a clear understanding of where data gaps exist. A comprehensive understanding of your chemical portfolio and confidence in the underlying data allows for the “de-risking” of existing portfolios and the on-going substitution of less sustainable ingredients with more sustainable ones.
Gradient’s data management team and scientists work in a coordinated fashion to support complex database construction, programming, and automation needs. Our data management team has experience with effectively handling data on several thousand compounds and products. We have developed software tools for cataloging hazard data and conclusions, as well as calculators for automating product-specific risk assessments and conducting vulnerability assessments. Using these tools and strategies, we have assessed entire company portfolios and product lines for many types and sizes of companies across a variety of industries.
Gradient Portfolio Assessment Expertise:
Global Hazard Assessment and Compliance Support
Gradient conducted hazard assessments of a portfolio of more than 1,600 chemicals for a global oil and gas company. We used these hazard assessments to understand product-level hazards, update US and international Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) to meet Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) criteria, and develop a comprehensive database. Our hazard assessments and database are an integral part of our client’s long-term product compliance sustainability plan.
Screening Assessment for Endocrine Disruption Potential
Gradient developed a methodology to compile information on the endocrine disrupting (ED) potential of an industry research organization’s large portfolio of hydrocarbons and petroleum-related substances. Using the scientific literature; toxicity databases; Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) dossiers; and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) data, we visualized data gaps and ED potential across the portfolio with a “heat map” approach. Our assessment was a first step in understanding the ED potential of these substances.
Toxicological Survey of Food Contaminants
Gradient developed a toxicological survey of over 800 food contaminants to determine which constituents were emerging compounds of concern. By combining a literature review with read-across and quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) data to fill data gaps, we created a user-friendly database with compound-specific data and key regulatory information. Gradient used this database to conduct a vulnerability analysis, enabling our client to visualize and prioritize its research needs.
Hazard and Risk Assessment Across a Personal Care Product Portfolio
Gradient conducted an in-depth toxicological assessment and created a database for over 300 ingredients for a sun care product line. We assessed hazards according to Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) criteria and performed read-across to fill in data gaps. We also identified a point of departure for each ingredient and used these to conduct semi-automated risk assessments in a database environment. Using this data, we determined if exposures were above safety targets and established maximum allowable levels of ingredients by product type.
