(c)2006 Albert Donnay
A problem with most toxic exposure studies
uOutside of allergy and addiction research,
few human or animal studies are designed to assess their
subjects’ their degree of sensitization or habituation
uHuman exposure studies considered by those establishing Occupational Exposure Limits (TLVs) do not usually include retired and thus potentially sensitized workers, but instead focus on tolerances of those still working, who are most likely
to have the highest tolerances. 
uMost animal exposure use identically raised animals with no prior exposure experience which are then exposed to high levels according to a frequent dosing schedule.   This is an excellent design to induce habituation, but animal studies are rarely designed to also assess sensitization by keeping a cohort alive longer through a long withdrawal period followed by re-exposure at a much lower level.