Exposure Factors Handbook 2011 Edition (Final Report)

EPA announced the release of the final report, Exposure Factors Handbook: 2011 Edition (EPA/600/R-09/052F), prepared by the Office of Research and Development's National Center for Environmental Assessments (NCEA). This updated edition of the handbook provides the most up-to-date data on the various human factors used in assessing exposure. The Exposure Factors Handbook (EFH or "Handbook") provides a summary of the available statistical data on various factors used in assessing human exposure. This report is addressed to exposure assessors inside the Agency as well as outside, who need to obtain data on standard factors to calculate human exposure to environmental agents.

These factors include: drinking water consumption, soil ingestion, inhalation rates, dermal factors including skin area and soil adherence factors, consumption of fruits and vegetables, fish, meats, dairy products, homegrown foods, human milk intake, human activity factors, consumer product use, and building characteristics. Recommended values are for the general population and also for various segments of the population who may have characteristics different from the general population. NCEA has strived to include full discussions of the issues that assessors should consider in deciding how to use these data and recommendations.

The mission of National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) of EPA's Office of Research and Development is to provide guidance and risk assessments aimed at protecting human health and the environment. To accomplish this mission, NCEA works to develop and improve the models, databases, tools, assumptions, and extrapolations used in risk assessments. This handbook is a tool developed by NCEA aimed at refining the assumptions used in exposure assessments and reducing uncertainty.

This handbook was first published in 1989 and later updated in 1997 to provide statistical data on the various human factors used in assessing exposure. This revised edition of the handbook provides the most up-to-date data on these exposure factors. The recommended values are based solely on our interpretations of the available data. In many situations different values may be appropriate to use in consideration of policy, precedent or other factors.

Impact/Purpose

The Exposure Factors Handbook provides a summary of the available statistical data on various factors used in assessing human exposure.

Citation

U.S. EPA. Exposure Factors Handbook 2011 Edition (Final Report). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-09/052F, 2011.

History/Chronology

Date Description
01-May 1989EPA released the Exposure Factors Handbook (Final Report) 1989. EPA/600/8-89/043.
02-Aug 1996EPA released the draft Exposure Factors Handbook (1996) for public review and comment.
03-Aug 1997EPA released the final report, Exposure Factors Handbook (1997).
04-Oct 2009EPA released the draft report, Exposure Factors Handbook 2009 Update for public review and comment. [Federal Register Notice Oct 7, 2009]
05-Mar 2010EPA announced an independent external peer review workshop to discuss the draft report on March 3-4, 2010 in Arlington, VA. [Federal Register Notice Feb 2, 2010]
06-Sep 2011EPA released the final report, Exposure Factors Handbook: 2011 Edition. [Federal Register Notice Oct 3, 2011]
07-Jul 2012EPA released the comments from the peer review workshop (see downloads under the 2009 draft document).
08-Oct 2017EPA released an update to Chapter 5: Soil and Dust Ingestion.
09-Jun 2018EPA released an update to Chapter 11: Intake of Meats, Diary Products, and Fats.
10-Jul 2018EPA released an update to Chapter 12: Intake of Grain Products and an update to Chapter 19: Building Characteristics.
11-Aug 2018EPA released an update to Chapter 9: Intake of Fruits and Vegetables.
12-Feb 2019EPA released an update to Chapter 3: Ingestion of Water and Other Select Liquids.

This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.


Related Link(s)

Federal Register Notices