Human exposure assessment

This book presents the methodologies for surveying exposures, analysing data and integrating findings with the ongoing national and global debate defining natural limits to human behaviour. It serves the cross-disciplinary needs of environmental managers, risk assessors and epidemiologists to learn something about the design, conduct, interpretation and value of human exposure studies of multimedia. [10:53 am, 23/05/2022] ?: environmental contaminants. For investigators considering exposure studies, this book guides them to contemporary information on measurement of analysis methods and strategies.

In Chapter 1 of the document the basic terms and concepts used in exposure assessment are defined. Similar understanding of terms used commonly among health assessors working in the different fields of air, water, soil and food sciences is a critical starting point in defining the emerging specialist area of exposure assessment. Application of exposure research and routine assessments to the information needs of risk managers, policy-makers and epidemiologists is established in Chapter 2. Discussion of these information needs is developed in Chapter 3, which presents the objectives f…
[10:53 am, 23/05/2022] ?: In Chapter 8, proportionally more emphasis is placed on soil and settled dust sampling. Again, the laboratory methods for metals, organics and various chemical compounds are readily available in the published literature. This chapter, then, focuses on relatively new sampling techniques to quantify in a standardized way the contaminant levels in soil and settled dust.

In Chapter 9, on microbiological agents, assessment techniques for commonly encountered allergens, mycotoxins, fungal and pollen spores, microbiological bacteria and endotoxins are presented. These agents have been included because of their imputed contribution to respiratory disease and potential interactions with chemical pollutants. There is growing recognition that exposure to these agents in schools, homes, hospitals and office buildings constitutes a specific risk to atopic, asthmatic and compromised individuals.

The use of biomarkers for exposure assessments is presented in Chapter 10. Biological samples derived from human tissue or fluids have been used as markers of both effects as well as exposure (dose) to a variety of occupational and environmental contaminants. The chapter describes the applications of biomarkers in exposure studies.

The quality assurance (QA) activities that should be considered in conducting and evaluating exposure studies are addressed in Chapter 11. Contributors to this document intended to impart their experiences to improve future exposure study. It is emphasized that QA aspects must be considered in all components of exposure studies, to enhance comparability and interpretation..

Chapter 12 presents brief synopses of exposure studies. Selections illustrate a variety of study designs with different objectives and target pollutants and populations. Relatively more emphasis has been given to particles and passive exposure to cigarette smoke. The evidence is that cigarette consumption has increased almost worldwide, suggesting that greater attention be given to characterizing and reducing exposures to non-smokers, in particular, infants and young children. Epidemiological studies conducted over the last 15 years indicate that ambient particulate matter is adversely affecting human health at levels well below many of the established standards. Exposure assessment along with toxicology and epidemiology will be needed to answer many of the remaining unresolved issues about ambient and indoor suspended particles. Other studies summarized show how exposure assessment is supportive of epidemiology and risk management. The reader should recognize that Chapter 12 is not comprehensive but is intended to help educate the research community and others about the application, use and limitations of exposure assessment methodologies.