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LINKING EXPOSURES TO INTERNAL DOSES USING BIOMARKERS
Impact/Purpose:
Objectives for this task include the following:
o Investigate the current research on biomarkers of exposure for humans (ILSI documents).
o Develop better measurement methods and procedures for collecting biomarkers of exposure in human research studies.
o Conduct advanced statistical analyses on existing urinary biomarker data generated from EPA funded studies.
o Identify and provide valuable data inputs for modelers in their toxicokinetic and exposure models.
o Use modeling tools to understand the exposures of humans to chemicals related to biomarkers of exposure.
o Form a collaborative partnership with CDC to develop analytical methods for chemicals used as biomarkers of exposure in humans.
o Develop statistical methods and models to assess human exposures to chemicals of concern.
Description:
Biomonitoring is a useful tool to help assess human exposures/internal doses to chemicals in the environment. This research contributes to EPA's mission to protect human health by understanding what chemicals people are exposed to in their daily environments. In this task, we will investigate the current state-of-the-science regarding biomarkers of exposure for humans. We will focus on examining the urinary biomarker data that has been generated from several EPA-funded studies to better quantify human exposures/internal doses to these chemicals. This endeavor will provide us with an improved understanding of the strengths and limitations of using urinary biomarkers of exposure for humans, and will be critical in developing future human exposure studies. In addition, this information is important for developing novel measurement, analytical, and statistical methods to quantify human exposures and internal doses to current chemicals of concern. The importance of this research is to increase our understanding on how to properly interpret and use biomarkers to assess human exposures/internal doses to chemicals. This knowledge and tools for its application will provide scientific information to risk assessors and decision-makers, thus improving EPA's ability to identify agents of concern, select effective risk-mitigation strategies, and demonstrate accountability for reducing adverse health effects of environmental chemicals.