Research Priorities for Airborne Particulate Matter I. Immediate Priorities and a Long-Range Research Portfolio (1998) / Chapter Skim
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3. The Committee's Framework and Criteria for Evaluation
3. The Committee's Framework and Criteria for Evaluation
Pages 34-43
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From page 34... ...
This source-to-response framework provides a useful overall structure for identifying and organizing the critical scientific information and research topics that must be addressed to reduce uncertainties underlying the establishment and implementation of the NAAQS for particulate matter. The components ofthis framework are generally well known to EPA anti the environmental research community but have not previously been developed in the integrated, iterative manner recommended in this report.
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From page 36... ...
This element ofthe framework includes factors determining the release rates, locations, chemical composition, particle size, cieposition, transport, and transformation of emissions that lead to indoor and occupational atmospheric contamination. · AmbientIndicators Mass or other measures, such as measures of size or composition of particles, per unit volume of ambient air.
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From page 37... ...
Exposure · Relationship between ambient (outdoor) particulate matter and the composition of particles to which individuals are exposed Contribution of ambient particulate matter to total personal exposure for: Susceptible subpopulations General population Variation in relationship of ambient particulate-matter concentrations to human exposure by place Variation in contribution of ambient particulate matter to total human exposure over time Covariance of particulate-matter exposures with exposures to other pollutants Relationship between outdoor ambient and personal exposures for particulate matter and copollutants .
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From page 38... ...
Although there is general understanding of how inhaled pollutants lead to respiratory and cardiovascular injury, that understanding does not extend to the low personal exposures and associated low doses at which effects of particulate matter have been observed in epidemiological studies. Toxicological mechanisms-how particles interact with target cells and subsequently elicit toxic responses have been postulated, based on observations at higher levels of exposure and on toxicological models, but there is not yet a substantive body of human data on these relationships, and there is general uncertainty about toxicological mechanisms.
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From page 39... ...
EVALUATION CRITERIA The criteria chosen by the committee for assigning priorities to particulate-matter research neecis are multidimensional, reflecting the complex physical and chemical processes and variety of biological effects associated with particulate-matter exposures, the varied information needs of clecisionmakers for establishing and implementing the NAAQS, and the feasibility and timing of research activities. In considering criteria to be used in establishing priorities for particulate-matter research, the committee was mindful ofthe need to integrate scientific and policy questions relevant to standard-setting and implementation.
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From page 40... ...
Research directed at addressing key uncertainties and meeting key information needs within a risk assessment framework was ranked higher. SCIENTIFIC VALUE The committee believes that any research activities should be of significant scientific value.
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From page 41... ...
Operational factors include having sufficient research capacity and expertise available to successfully achieve the research objectives. The technical methods needed to concluct the research must also be available.
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From page 42... ...
Baser! on the collective judgment ofthe committee, some research findings no longer need duplication (e.g., the now well-documented statistical association between daily mortality counts and various indicators of outdoor air pollution, including measures of particulate matter)
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From page 43... ...
Methods to perform continuous analyses of ambient concentrations or integral analyses over extended intervals would provide better real-time ciata for exposure assessment, compliance analyses, pollution-episode identification, and remedy selection. The data generated by improveci measurement methods would also be useful for systematic studies of exposure misciassification anti measurement error.
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