Schematic representation of dose-response relations for toxic chemicals: — – — – candidates for OESs; ······ candidates for MELs. Response may be increasing severity of toxic effects or an increasing proportion of the exposed population affected, or both. Schematic representation of dose-response relations for toxic chemicals: — – — – candidates for OESs; ······ candidates for MELs. Response may be increasing severity of toxic effects or an increasing proportion of the exposed population affected, or both. M Topping Occup Environ Med 2001;58:138-144 ©2001 by BMJ Publishing Group Ltd