Wood smoke risk assessment: Defining the questions

Abstract

Risk assessment provides a framework for combining and evaluating scientific data on source-to-health effects for contaminants that could potentially affect the health of human populations. It utilizes an integrated approach to hazard identification, dose response, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. Since the range of potential exposure scenarios is considerable, given the complexity of wood-smoke sources and emissions, there is a need for defining the critical characteristics for the key parameters leading to adverse health outcomes. During the International Biomass Smoke and Health Effects (IBSHE) conference at the University of Montana (August 2007), the breakout group entitled “Risk Assessment: Defining the Questions” was tasked with evaluating the current state of the science in regard to risk assessment involving biomass smoke exposure. As a result of these discussions, important data gaps and future research questions were identified that are reported in this article.

Keywords::

• Biomass
• exposure
• PM
• risk assessment
• wood smoke

Acknowledgments

This conference was made possible through grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The conference was sponsored by the University of Montana CEHS (NCRR P20RR017670), the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention by trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.