US EPA

Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models have increasingly been employed in chemical health risk assessments carried out by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and it is anticipated that their use will continue to increase. Physiological parameter values (e.g. alveolar ventilation, blood flow to specific organs and tissues, organ and tissue volumes, glomerular filtration rate) are critical components of these models; unfortunately, such data is scattered among various sources in the scientific literature.

EPA is currently involved in several efforts to compile these data into electronic formats, such as relational databases, in order to provide a resource for facilitating and improving PBPK model development. One such database is already publically available with parameters specific to neonatal rodents (Database of Physiological Parameters for Early Life Rats and Mice).

Older adults represent a population with greater susceptibility to health effects stemming from environmental exposures, and therefore merit particular attention in analyses used in conducting risk assessments. The database available for download on this web page contains physiological parameters values for healthy older human adults (age 60 and older), as well as data for some individuals with adverse health conditions. The information contained in this database were collected through extensive search and review of published scientific literature.

EPA is releasing a database, developed under contractual agreement, containing values of human physiological parameters specific to older adults obtained from published scientific literature.

The database has not undergone extensive independent testing, and should therefore be considered a beta version. The physiological parameters data presented herein will eventually be included in a larger database of physiological parameters across life-stages that will be more extensively reviewed and evaluated for accuracy prior to its release. Modelers or others who have data that would augment the existing database or who may have other suggestions to improve the database are encouraged to email the contacts listed below.

Steps to saving the database

The database is available for download as a compressed Microsoft ACCESS file. To open the compressed file, first save the file on your hard drive, and unzip the contents into a folder of your choosing.

Contact Information

Chad M. Thompson
US EPA
Office of Research and Development
National Center for Environmental Assessment, Washington Division
thompson.chad@epa.gov

Doug O. Johns
US EPA
Office of Research and Development
National Center for Environmental Assessment, RTP Division
johns.doug@epa.gov

Bob R. Sonawane
US EPA
Office of Research and Development
National Center for Environmental Assessment, Washington Division
sonawane.bob@epa.gov