Methods for Assessing Exposure of Human and Non-human Biota

This work is based on a workshop held in Mexico City, 12-16th August 1985 conducted under the Scientific Group for Methodologies for the Safety Evaluation of Chemicals (SGOMSEC).

This is an organization committed to the critical evaluation of methods for safety evaluation which are important for the protection of the natural environment and human health. Risk assessment requires estimates of exposure. This volume concerns itself with the exposure component of risk assessment which it approaches in three ways: (1) the direct evaluation of the exposure as measured in the air, in the water, in soils, and in food and so forth to the organism through consumption of food, water or air; (2) consideration of the movement of the chemicals from distant sources to the point of exposure of the exposed organism including possible alteration en route; (3) analysis of exposed tissues.

In effect, this uses the exposed organism as a sampling device, these are sometimes called markers of exposure. In some cases, one of these approaches suffices; in others, several or even all the means of exposure assessment may be required.