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Cost of Environmental-Related Health Effects A Plan for Continuing Study (1981) / Chapter Skim
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Chapter 2: Data Related to Environmental Hazards and Human Exposure
Pages 37-48

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From page 37...
... Profiles of these 64 data systems appear in tables, arranged according to whether the systems amass data on health status, on medical care use or need, or whether they test specific interrelationships, record environmental inspections, measure environmental pollutants or individual exposures, or relate data on the environment to data on health.3 NCHS also identifies, in general terms, some deficiencies in these data systems and makes general recommendations for improving the available data. Two other NCHS activities respond to further mandates in P.L.
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From page 38...
... studies by the Council on Environmental Quality, especially those concerning toxic substances, and the work of EPA in conjunction with other agencies in implementing the Toxic Substances Control ACt.2l-27 Numerous * Criteria air pollutants are the six major air pollutants for which the Clean Air Act mandates national ambient standards.
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From page 39...
... Subs Lances may enter the envi ronment from one or several sources. And, because environmental hazards move among the various media, not being confined only to air, water, or land environments, human exposure to a substance may result from contact with a variety of sources containing it.
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From page 40...
... Production and Uses Information on the amount of the substance produced, the locations where it is produced, and its uses will be needed to determine the extent of exposure and environmental distribution of the substance. For example, the primary sources for lead would include mining and refining of lead for the consumer lead industry and its use in pigments, gasoline, ammunition, and the lead metal industry.
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From page 41...
... State agencies and various establishments that discharge substances into the environment collect data for inclusion in federally maintained computer-based data systems. Several federal agencies analyze and publish a variety of environmental statistics, including those on air quality and emissions, water quality and water supply, waste disposal, environmental contamination from radiation, noise pollution, toxic substances, and the production, distribution, and use of pesticides.
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From page 42...
... The Act authorizes the collection of an extensive range of information including: trade names, chemical identity, molecular structure, categories of use, volume of production by use category, by-products, exposure of workers producing specific chemicals, methods of disposal, volume of imports, adverse reactions, health effects, environmental effects, quality control methods, and economic consequences of production or stopping production. Evaluation of a chemical results in a Chemical Hazard Information Profile (CHIP)
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From page 43...
... Surrogate measures of exposure are calculated by combining information on the amounts and chemical forms of the substance in environmental reservoirs, such as air, soil, water, and food; the amount of air inhaled or water or food ingested by members of the population; and the duration and distribution of exposure over time.16~19 Such calculations assume average intakes of food, water, and air. Some of the difficulties and complexities associated with determining human exposure to air pollutants by using ambient measures have been discussed by Repace30 and by Spengler.31~32 A ma jor EPA study is underway to measure a population's exposures to selected pollutants by analyzing air, foods, and water to which the individuals under study are exposed.
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From page 44...
... For example, "baby teeth" can be used to document lead exposures in children.35 The National Bureau of Standards and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set up a pilot environmental specimen bank in late 1979 that is expected to provide about 30,000 samples after five years.36 These samples will be of human liver, marine bivalve mollusks, food grains, and atmospheric particulates.
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From page 45...
... Statistics Needed for Determining the Effects of the Environment on Health. Beport of the Technical Consultant Panel to the United States National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics.
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From page 46...
... Committee on Medical and Biological Effects of Environmental Pollutants. Ozone and Other Photochemical Oxidants.
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From page 47...
... Toxic Substances Strategy Committee. Toxic Chemicals and Public Protection A Report to the President by the Toxic Substances Strategy Committee.
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From page 48...
... Part T Formulation of an Exposure and Body Burden Monitoring Program.
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Key Terms

  • human exposure
  • environmental pollutants
  • environmental quality
  • health statistics
  • water quality

  • body burden
  • hazardous substances
  • monitoring program
  • exposure data
  • air pollutants

  • chemical substances
  • environmental studies
  • ongoing study
  • national toxicology
  • toxicology program

  • toxic chemicals
  • control act
  • moni taring
  • quality data
  • using surrogate

  • substances information
  • surrogate measures
  • stream monitoring
  • federal health
  • strategy committee

  • permit program
  • body burdens
  • information network
  • chemical hazard
  • substances strategy


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