An inventory of human exposure-related data bases.
An inventory of Federally-sponsored data bases, which either have been or could be used to estimate human exposures to environmental agents, was compiled through a joint effort by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Center for Health Statistics (CDC-NCHS), and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The inventory includes sixty-seven exposure-related data systems that meet the following criteria: cover a relatively large geographical area (e.g., national, state); provide reasonable access to information; and are supported, at least in part, by Federal funds. Findings allow for comparison of data bases according to 1) exposure estimators (e.g., emission estimates, environmental measurements), 2) sample types (e.g., air, water soil, food, human tissue), 3) measured/observed parameters (e.g., pesticides, PCBs, microorganisms), 4) geographic scope (e.g., national, regional, state), 5) sample collection frequency (e.g., yearly, quarterly, daily), and 6) sample location identifiers (e.g., latitude/longitude, zip code, county). Results indicate that existing data bases were established for a variety of reasons (e.g., regulatory compliance, research, monitor environmental conditions, legal requirements) and contain information which varies widely in terms of quality, relevance, and availability. Although the inventory identifies many potential sources of information, it also highlights significant shortcomings in the available systems, including an almost complete absence of data on contact between people and environmental agents (human exposure) and on the amount of the agent that is absorbed into the body (dose).
Sexton
K
K
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Health Research, Washington, District of Columbia 20460.
Wagener
D K
DK
Selevan
S G
SG
Miller
T O
TO
Lybarger
J A
JA
D003625:Data Collection; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D009309:National Center for Health Statistics, U.S.; D011159:Population Surveillance; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States; D014484:United States Environmental Protection Agency