Citation:

OZKAYNAK, H. A. MODEL HARMONIZATION POTENTIAL AND BENEFITS. Presented at Global Net on Comsumer Exposure Modeling-Workshops on Framework/Policy and Research/Science Issues, Intra-Verbania, ITALY, June 20 - 24, 2005.

Impact/Purpose:

The primary objective of this research is to produce a documented version of the aggregate SHEDS-Pesticides model for conducting reliable probabilistic population assessments of human exposure and dose to environmental pollutants. SHEDS is being developed to help answer the following questions:

(1) What is the population distribution of exposure for a given cohort for existing scenarios or for proposed exposure reduction scenarios?

(2) What is the intensity, duration, frequency, and timing of exposures from different routes?

(3) What are the most critical media, routes, pathways, and factors contributing to exposures?

(4) What is the uncertainty associated with predictions of exposure for a population?

(5) How do modeled estimates compare to real-world data?

(6) What additional human exposure measurements are needed to reduce uncertainty in population estimates?

Description:

The IPCS Harmonization Project, which is currently ongoing under the auspices of the WHO, in the context of chemical risk assessment or exposure modeling, does not imply global standardization. Instead, harmonization is thought of as an effort to strive for consistency among approaches and to enhance understanding of the various approaches to chemical risk worldwide (IPCS 2004). Thus, harmonization is defined, in a step-wise fashion, as an understanding of the methods or models and practices used by various countries and organizations so as to develop confidence in, and acceptance of, assessments that use different approaches. It further involves a willingness to work towards convergence of these approaches or models as a longer-term goal. In order to achieve harmonization of approaches a framework is proposed by the EU for comparing information on various elements of risk assessment, including exposure modeling; understanding of the basis for exposure standards for specific chemicals in different countries; savings of time and expense by sharing information, models and avoiding duplication of work; and promoting credible science through better communication among organizations and peer review of assessments and assessment procedures. In the context of exposure modeling, the goal is to ensure performing reliable exposure and risk assessments using models that lead to more effective or targeted risk management decisions, thus promoting protection of human health and the environment within the framework of sustainable development. Principles of exposure model harmonization are intimately tied to basic concepts and determinants of human exposure and how this information is linked with data on environmental conditions and human behavior.

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