Development of Korean Exposure Factors Handbook for Exposure Assessment

Abstract

P-601 Introduction: In exposure assessments, researchers need to various exposure factors data that are likely to influence exposure. If the values of the exposure factors are not obtained, it will eventually have a sensitively influence on the predicted human exposure, and the decisions for the risk management would cause increase of uncertainty. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop Exposure Factors Handbook reflecting physiological and behavioral characteristics of Korean populations. The Korean Exposure Factors Handbook provides recommended values for use in exposure assessment as well as confidence ratings. Also this study is to construct on-line information offer system to the exposure assessor that how the data may be used to assess exposure. Methods: Based on the Exposure Factors Handbook of the U.S EPA, we first selected exposure factors. The investigation exposure factors include body weight, life expectancy, surface area, inhalation rate, soil ingestion rate, food consumption, showering and bathing, time-activity factors, population mobility, residence volume and residential exchange. The next step, we reviewed all domestic scientific study and nations statistic databases relating to exposure factors. The examination was based on scientific criteria (e.g. representativeness of the population, current information, adequacy of data collection period, minimal bias in study design, etc). After a thorough review, we classified the exposure factors in terms of both existence of available data deriving exposure factors and possibility of investigation during study period. If there is available data deriving exposure factors, we construct the database and progress data processing to fit the study purpose. The other way, we conduct direct measurement of exposure factors. Results: The study period of the project is 3 years. The first phase of a project, we suggest recommended values on four exposure factors, body weight, life expectancy, surface area and population mobility using precedence study data which was good available data evaluated in terms quality and relevance. This year, we are conducting the second phase of a project. We are investigating inhalation rate, water consumption and reanalyzing national food consumption survey data. Discussion: A comparison between some results of the recommend values for the exposure factors and the results of the US EPA revealed a difference. Therefore, it is considered to be adequate to use Korean data for domestic exposure assessment. Under the sponsorship of Ministry of Environment, Korean Exposure Factors Handbook is provided useful information to exposure assessor.