Experimental Validation of the Consumer Exposure Modeling Tool ConsExpo

Abstract

MAB2-PD-02 ConsExpo is a computer program designed to estimate exposure of consumers to chemical substances in consumer products. The software implements generic, multi-tier models for inhalation, oral, and dermal routes of exposure. In addition, the program includes a database with compiled data and suggested defaults on exposure scenarios and exposure factors for different product groups. The current version (4.1) of the software includes data on cosmetics, pest control products, cleaning products, and disinfectants. In the absence of accurate and representative monitoring data, exposure to chemicals from consumer products has often to be done by modeling. Although a real validation of any exposure estimation is never completely achievable, it is of utmost importance that models are at least evaluated with respect to their performance under controlled conditions and that their limitations are made clear. At present, the inhalation exposure models of ConsExpo are being validated in this sense. Experiments on residential exposure to aerosols from spray products have been concluded and have led to adjustments of the aerosol model. Experiments on the air concentrations resulting from evaporation of chemical substances from liquid products such as cleaning products and paints are currently being performed. Aerosol exposure experiments have been conducted in a climatically controllable room for products such as insect sprays, hair sprays, deodorants, cleaning products, and paints. Resulting air concentration profiles and important determinants of exposure such as droplet size distributions and mass generation rates of the different spray products will be presented. The ConsExpo model describing the inhalation exposure to aerosols has been adjusted and was found to describe the experimental data well. Experiments on exposure to chemicals substances evaporating from liquid matrices representative of products, such as paints and cleaning products, are conducted in a room for which ventilation and temperature can be accurately controlled. The current models describing evaporation are tested against the measured air concentrations, and their performance is evaluated.