Review of Information Resources to Support Human Exposure Assessment Models

• Published in: Human and ecological risk assessment 2002-10, Vol.8 (6), p.1445-1487
• Main Authors: Boyce, Catherine Petito, Garry, Michael R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: exposure assessment; exposure modeling; information resources; input parameters; probabilistic; review
• ISSN: 1080-7039; 1549-7860
• DOI: 10.1080/20028091056845

Efforts to model human exposures to chemicals are growing more sophisticated and encompass increasingly complex exposure scenarios. The scope of such analyses has increased, growing from assessments of single exposure pathways to complex evaluations of aggregate or cumulative chemical exposures occurring within a variety of settings and scenarios. In addition, quantitative modeling techniques have evolved from simple deterministic analyses using single point estimates for each necessary input parameter to more detailed probabilistic analyses that can accommodate distributions of input parameters and assessment results. As part of an overall effort to guide development of a comprehensive framework for modeling human exposures to chemicals, available information resources needed to derive input parameters for human exposure assessment models were compiled and critically reviewed. Ongoing research in the area of exposure assessment parameters was also identified. The results of these efforts are summarized and other relevant information that will be needed to apply the available data in a comprehensive exposure model is discussed. Critical data gaps in the available information are also identified. Exposure assessment modeling and associated research would benefit from the collection of additional data as well as by enhancing the accessibility of existing and evolving information resources.