Adverse Outcome Pathways

Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) are structured frameworks that describe how a chemical or substance can cause harmful effects in an organism. They link a initial interaction, like a chemical triggering a biological change, to a final adverse effect, such as disease or toxicity. This chain of events helps scientists understand and predict potential risks of substances, improving safety assessments. By mapping out these steps, AOPs provide clarity on how exposure leads to harm, supporting regulatory decisions and the development of safer chemicals and products.