Soil quality � Characterization of soil with respect to human exposure

In epidemiologic and exposure research, biomonitoring is often used as the basis for assessing human exposure to environmental chemicals. Studies frequently rely on a single urinary measurement per participant to assess exposure to non-persistent chemicals. However, there is a growing consensus that single urine samples may be insufficient for adequately estimating exposure. The question then arises: how many samples would be needed for optimal characterization of exposure? To help researchers answer this question, we developed a tool called the Biomarker Reliability Assessment Tool (BRAT). The BRAT is based on pharmacokinetic modeling simulations, is freely available, and is designed to help researchers determine the approximate number of urine samples needed to optimize exposure assessment. The BRAT performs Monte Carlo simulations of exposure to estimate internal levels and resulting urinary concentrations in individuals from a population based on user-specified inputs (e.g., biological half-life, within- and between-person variability in exposure). The BRAT evaluates—through linear regression and quantile classification—the precision/accuracy of the estimation of internal levels depending on the number of urine samples. This tool should guide researchers towards more robust biomonitoring and improved exposure classification in epidemiologic and exposure research, which should in turn improve the translation of that research into decision-making.

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Environmental Characterization of Ash From the Combustion of Wood and Tires for Beneficial Use in Florida

11th Annual North American Waste-to-Energy Conference ◽

10.1115/nawtec11-1680 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

Thabet Tolaymat ◽

Timothy Townsend

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Industrial Waste ◽

Human Exposure ◽

Land Application ◽

Solid Wastes ◽

Waste To Energy ◽

Guidance Document ◽

Beneficial Use ◽

Florida Department

Non-hazardous industrial solid wastes are frequently proposed for beneficial use rather than being disposed in MSW landfills. An example of such an industrial waste is waste-to-energy (WTE) ash. Proposed beneficial use projects for WTE ash often involve some form of land application. Prior to the land application of any solid waste, the possible risk to human health and the environment should be assessed. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has developed a beneficial use guidance document that provides WTE ash generators with the testing requirements that must be demonstrated before a particular beneficial use scenario is determined appropriate (FDEP 2001). For WTE ash to be deemed safe for land application, the risk associated with two separate pathways should be assessed: direct human exposure and the contamination of groundwater via leaching. While organic pollutants (e.g. dioxins) might be a concern, heavy metals are typically the pollutants that most limit the potential for reuse; heavy metals are the focus of the discussion in this paper.

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