[Assessment of exposure to atmospheric particles: contribution of individual measurements].
BACKGROUND
There are few studies of individual exposure to atmospheric particles, because of the relatively bulky and noisy sampling devices. These personalized measurements, generally associated with micro-environmental measurements, are aimed at studying the distribution of individual exposure and identifying its main determinants.


METHODS
A synopsis of the methods implemented in such studies (populations studied, measurements strategies, questionnaires on time-activity patterns, residences and work place) was detailed. The major results are presented and discussed from an epidemiological point of view.


RESULTS
The individual exposure measured with portable devices generally were generally found to be higher than the estimations made by combining micro-environmental (outdoor and indoor) measurements and data from time-activity diaries. The difference between results of these two approaches, known as "personal cloud", remains poorly understood. Correlations between individual measurings and outdoor concentrations are weak; nevertheless, day to day variations of these two series of measurements are better related. The main determinants of individual exposure to particles are identified but a quantification of their contribution remains difficult, except for passive smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Personal measurements cannot be used to estimate particle exposure in large scale epidemiological studies. This exposure needs to be modelized.
Laboratoire "Hygiène et Santé Publique", Université Paris V, 4 Av. de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris. luc.mosqueron1@libertysurf.fr
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Mosqueron
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Le Moullec
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Momas
D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution