Exposure Assessment
The IOM Human Exposure research programme covers a wide range of topics, including assessment of exposure of individuals and groups of individuals by modelling and measurement, control of exposure and development of measurement and assessment methods. We are concerned with chemical exposure by inhalation, skin contact and ingestion. Our research encompasses chemical and physical agents, including fibres, particulates, pesticides, chemicals, non-ionising radiation (EMF's) and noise.
IOM's human exposure scientists work on multidisciplinary projects across the IOM and collaborate with scientists in other organisations in the UK, Europe and the US. With the University of Aberdeen with whom we have formed the Human Exposure Research Alliance (HERA) and we have a number of joint collaborative projects. We also work collaboratively with scientists from the Health and Safety Laboratory, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, INRS (France), National Institute for Working Life (Sweden), Utrecht University and TNO (the Netherlands) and others.
The types of studies we do include;
- Assessment of current or past exposures for epidemiology and risk assessment
- Development and evaluation of exposure models
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of control methods
- Development of improved control methodology
- Development of exposure databases
- Evaluation of the work place effectiveness (WPF) of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Development and evaluation of aerosol sampling criteria (such as the inhalable convention), methods and instrumentation (IOM Inhalable Sampler).
Some current and recent projects include;
| Study | Sponsor |
|---|---|
| Evaluation of the performance of bio-aerosol samplers | Industry |
| Validation of the EASE exposure model | Industry and Health & Safety Executive |
| Exposure assessment for a mortality study of titanium dioxide workers | Industry |
| Development of the CEMAS exposure database | Industry |
| Dermal exposure network and RISKOFDERM | EU and Health & Safety Executive |
| Development of Methods to Assess Biologically Relevant Dermal Exposure - a feasibility study | Health & Safety Executive |
| A field evaluation of protective clothing against non-agricultural pesticides | Health & Safety Executive |
| Exposure assessment for a case-control study of respiratory cancer in MMMF production | Industry |
| Exposure assessment for a proposed epidemiological study of diesel engine emissions in central Europe and the Commonwealth of independent States (CIS) | US Health Effects Institute |