Exposure Data Needs in Risk Assessment and Risk Management: Database Information Needs

Abstract

This introduction to the Conference on Occupational Exposure Databases reviews the background of exposure-related databases in the occupational, environmental, and radiological health fields and surveys recent developments in this area. It also reviews some of the needs for, problems in the usage of, and opportunities for improvements in, data bank formats and coverage that developing professional interests and emerging technical capabilities provide. It summarizes prior work by others in defining the database issues and needs, and the problems that must be faced and overcome in establishing a comprehensive human exposure data bank for applications such as compliance reporting, exposure identification, analysis of trends, evaluation of exposure controls, epidemiological studies, development and testing of biomarkers of exposure, and coordination with disease surveillance data. It calls for coordinated efforts to establish and maintain a comprehensive exposure data bank. Lippmann, M.: Exposure Data Needs in Risk Assessment and Risk Management: Database Information Needs. Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 10(4):244–250; 1995.