The Exposure Factors Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA's) Office of Research and Development (ORD) has three main goals: (1) provide updates to the Exposure Factors Handbook and the Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook; (2) identify exposure factors data gaps and needs in consultation with clients; and (3) develop companion documents to assist clients in the use of exposure factors data. The activities under each goal are supported by and respond to the needs of the various program offices. The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) of the U.S. EPA's ORD has prepared this handbook to provide information on various physiological and behavioral factors commonly used in assessing children's exposure to environmental chemicals. Children have different exposure circumstances than do adults. Understanding these differences is key for evaluating potential for environmental hazards from pollutants. They consume more of certain foods and water and have higher inhalation rates per unit of body weight than adults. Young children play close to the ground and come into contact with contaminated soil outdoors and with contaminated dust on surfaces and carpets indoors. Ingestion of breast milk is another potential pathway of exposure for infants and young children.

"September 2008." "EPA/600/R-06/096F." "This is the final report." Includes bibliographical references. Online resource; title from PDF cover (viewed June 18, 2012).

Introduction -- Variability and uncertainty -- Water ingestion -- Non-dietary ingestion factors -- Ingestion of soil and dust -- Inhalation rates -- Dermal exposure factors -- Body weight -- Intake of fruits and vegetables -- Intake of fish and shellfish -- Intake of meats, dairy products and fats -- Intake of grain products -- Intake of home-produced foods -- Total food intake -- Human milk intake -- Activity factors -- Consumer products -- Glossary.