Exposure Research

About EPA's exposure research program

EPA's exposure science leads to improved methods, measurements and models to assess and predict exposures of humans and ecosystems to harmful environmental stressors. Environmental stressors can include chemical pollutants, microbes and pathogens, physical agents such as land use, and processes such as alteration of wildlife habitat.

Exposure science also provides the foundation for the development of approaches to reduce these exposures, and safeguard human health and the environment.

Science Features

New Testing Methods for Arsenic and Lead in Soil

EPA scientist Karen Bradham, Ph.D., and her research partners are working on inexpensive methods for assessing arsenic levels as a means to improve human exposure estimates for soil arsenic and lead.

EPA Releases Latest Community Multiscale Air Quality Model

This fall, EPA scientists released a new version of its groundbreaking Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system. Earlier versions of this state-of-the-science modeling system (known as “CMAQ”) have been used by EPA and states for more than a decade to design emission control strategies needed to meet and maintain national air quality standards. (April 26, 2012)

New EPA report details data sources for studying older adults’ environmental exposures

A new report developed by EPA exposure scientists, "Data Sources Available for Modeling Environmental Exposures in Older Adults," provides a detailed overview of existing sources of information for studying and modeling seniors' exposures to potentially hazardous chemicals and other pollutants. The report also provides a "state of the science" snapshot as of the end of 2009.

EPA scientists to work with Egyptian counterparts on improving water quality

Environmental Protection Agency scientists have signed an agreement with counterparts in Egypt to share research and training materials to help both agencies protect human health from microbiological contamination in drinking water.

EPA exposure scientists present research at 21st Annual ISES Conference

A diverse group of EPA’s exposure scientists will participate in the 2011 International Society of Exposure Science (ISES) Conference. This year’s meeting is held in Baltimore, Oct. 23-27, and will feature symposia, workshops, platform discussions, and poster sessions on topics ranging from nanomaterials to research on air quality near roadways. (October 21, 2011)

EPA Greenversations Blog | Modeling Matters: See Mack Run the Half-Marathon

By Tanya Otte

Lots of people like running. I’m not one of them…unless it involves running models! Since I was hired, I’ve been a part of a team that develops and runs models to help understand interactions between meteorology, natural and anthropogenic (“human-caused”) emissions, and air quality. (October 19, 2011)

Read the full story on the Greenversations Blog...

Innovative Tools Help EPA Scientists Determine Total Chemical Exposures

EPA scientists work to advance the science of chemical risk assessment.

Everyday activities – actions as simple as biting into an apple, or walking across a carpeted floor – may expose people to a host of chemicals through a variety of pathways. The air we breathe, the food and water we consume, and the surfaces we touch all are the homes of natural and synthetic chemicals, which enter our bodies through our skin, our digestive systems, and our lungs. (August 10, 2011)

Read the full story in EPA’s Science Matters Newsletter...

EPA’s Greenversations Blog | Modeling Matters: It Was Supposed to Rain!

Post By Tanya Otte:

By early June, my yard was already parched. The drought-tolerant annuals planted to brighten things up were suffering, but relief was on the way. Yielding to the forecast and my shortage of time, I skipped watering the plants. When I got home, the rain gage was bone dry. Eyeing the wilted flowers, I muttered: "But it was supposed to rain today!" (Posted August 3, 2011)

Read the full story on the Greenversations Blog...

EPA, Notre Dame researchers discuss challenges in adopting DNA-based methods for monitoring invasive species in U.S. water bodies

DNA-based technology helps people solve problems. It can be used to correctly match organ donors with recipients, identify victims of natural and man-made disasters, and detect bacteria and other organisms that may pollute air, soil, food, or water.

Regardless of what crime show courtrooms present about DNA-based technology, the reality is that it can open doors to limited opportunities for error. Scientists at EPA and the University of Notre Dame have investigated DNA-based methods and how they can be used to monitor water quality. (July 25, 2011)

Read the full article on DNA-based methods...

EPA scientists collaborate with NASA to improve view of air pollution from space

Scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NASA are collaborating on a project aimed at improving satellite capability to interpret air quality conditions near the earth’s surface.

The project — known as "DISCOVER-AQ" — stands for Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from COlumn and VERtically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality. NASA is the lead on this five-year project. (June 23, 2011)

Read more on Discover-AQ...

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