Background
Chemical risk assessment has traditionally been conducted in isolated compartments or specific environments, where exposure measurements for contaminants are context-based. However, total exposure to a contaminant over a person’s lifetime rarely comes from a single source or activity but rather from a combination of many occupational and non-occupational exposure sources.
The goal of this PARC project is to map aggregate exposure across various environments, activities, and exposure pathways, such as inhalation, dermal contact, and inadvertent ingestion (hand-to-mouth exposure). STAMI contributes to a case study focused on collecting exposure data for two relevant metals in occupational settings (cadmium and chromium). The aim is to comprehensively map workers’ exposure to these metals, not only from occupational activities but also from background environmental exposure.
What the Project Investigates
The project uses exposure data generated through occupational environment modelling and compares it with data from human biomonitoring studies and air measurements in workplaces. This requires detailed definitions of exposure scenarios, operational conditions, and risk management measures. The study includes various exposure pathways and modelling contributions from background exposure (environment, food, consumer products, etc.).
STAMI will contribute with air measurements and human biomonitoring data from the EXPO database, as well as detailed occupational exposure scenarios. This approach will help validate different models for occupational exposure and identify other sources contributing to total exposure. It may also explain the levels of chemicals measured in biomonitoring studies. By analysing various scenarios, activities, and exposure pathways, the project aims to achieve a deeper understanding of a worker’s total lifetime exposure.
This will help better determine which portion of the total exposure is occupationally related and which stems from general environmental exposure. The findings may help adjust current regulations and establish more precise and protective occupational exposure limits.
External Collaborators in PARC:
The project is led by ANSES (France) and UNISANTE (Switzerland). A total of 32 partners from 15 European countries are involved.
Financial Contributors:
Horizon Europe (EU)
Project Leader (STAMI):
Graciela López Soop
Project Participants (STAMI):
Hilde Notø, Nils Petter Skaugset, Steen Mollerup
Research Area:
Chemical and biological occupational environment
Related Info:
https://www.eu-parc.eu/
Aggregate exposure (P6.2.1b)