Children's exposure assessment: A review of factors influencing children'sexposure, and the data available to characterize and assess that exposure

We review the factors influencing children's exposure to environmental cont aminants and the data available to characterize and assess that exposure. C hildren's activity pattern data requirements are demonstrated in the contex t of the algorithms used to estimate exposure by inhalation, dermal contact , and ingestion. Currently, data on children's exposures and activities are insufficient to adequately assess multimedia exposures to environmental co ntaminants. As a result, regulators use a series of default assumptions and exposure factors when conducting exposure assessments. Data to reduce unce rtainty in the assumptions and exposure estimates are needed to ensure chem icals are regulated appropriately to protect children's health. To improve the database, advancement in the following general areas of research is req uired: identification of appropriate age/developmental benchmarks For categ orizing children in exposure assessment; development and improvement of met hods for monitoring children's exposures and activities; collection of acti vity pattern data for children (especially young children) required to asse ss exposure by all routes; collection of data on concentrations of environm ental contaminants, biomarkers, and transfer coefficients that can be used as inputs to aggregate exposure models.