Exposure assessment is one of four major components in the risk assessment process. Characterizing and estimating the magnitude of potential exposures is an essential component for evaluating health risks posed by a particular chemical or physical agent. Exposure depends on various characteristics of the agent, such as particle shape or fiber size (for inhalation), form of radiation, chemical composition, bioavailability, human behavior, whether natural barriers or personal protective equipment prevent actual exposure, and whether the substance is transformed within the body.
Characterizing historical occupational, environmental, or consumer product exposures is challenging, because there are frequently few or no chemical concentration data specific to the historical exposure event(s), and in many cases, the occupational or environmental conditions have changed or the consumer product is no longer produced or has been reformulated. Over the past decade, there has been growing interest in historical exposure(s) that individuals or groups experienced as part of their activities. Exponent has significant experience in this area, and has helped clients assess exposures from various consumer products using exposure simulation, where industrial hygiene (exposure) data are collected during testing of re-formulated products. The term coined for historical exposure assessments where specific doses are calculated on a job-specific, task-specific, or person-specific basis is “exposure reconstruction” or “dose reconstruction.” Exponent also has substantial experience assisting clients with planning for new facilities or products using prospective exposure assessment techniques. These forward-looking assessments are of great value to clients in getting necessary permits, mitigating potential future exposures, and limiting future liabilities.
Exponent’s health scientists, particularly those in the Center for Exposure Assessment and Dose Reconstruction, provide a depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to our clients from a variety of multidisciplinary perspectives. Exponent complements this strong and diverse depth of scientific experience with its considerable knowledge base regarding current government and international standard-setting organizations’ activities regarding risk assessment, mathematical modeling, and exposure limits. Exponent’s work is supported and supplemented by our close ties with analytical laboratories for fast turnaround time on samples and our ability to design, construct, and operate exposure-testing chambers.