A simple method for assessing occupational exposure via the one-way random effects model

ABSTRACT

A one-way random effects model is postulated for the log-transformed shift-long personal exposure measurements, where the random effect in the model represents an effect due to the worker. Simple closed-form confidence intervals are proposed for the relevant parameters of interest using the method of variance estimates recovery (MOVER). The performance of the confidence bounds is evaluated and compared with those based on the generalized confidence interval approach. Comparison studies indicate that the proposed MOVER confidence bounds are better than the generalized confidence bounds for the overall mean exposure and an upper percentile of the exposure distribution. The proposed methods are illustrated using a few examples involving industrial hygiene data.

KEYWORDS:

• Exceedance probability
• generalized confidence interval
• mean exposure level
• tolerance limits
• upper confidence limits

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to a reviewer for providing useful comments and suggestions which enhanced the original version of the article.