Background
Representative, high quality exposure data forms the keystone upon which a soundly based human exposure and risk assessment process can be built. Exposure data and human activity information are fundamental to the successful validation of models and in helping define uncertainties. There is a need for general database of occupational exposures, including information on key target groups, including sensitive sub-populations. Suitable exposure models capable of integrating information characteristic of multi-source, multi-route exposures to estimate total exposure are currently unavailable.
Objectives
Proposals
Proposals submitted for consideration should follow the format of the application from'Application for a CEFIC-LRI Grant' and should address the following areas under individual subheadings:
- The title of the research proposal.
- The name and affiliation of the principal investigator and the laboratory or laboratories in which the research will be conducted.
- Evidence of the principal investigator's knowledge of, and contribution to, current understandings of collection of workplace exposure data and job information, model validation and uncertainty characterisation.
- Additional expertise to implement and share the database via the Internet.
- A clear definition of the research objectives, including a description of the mechanistic basis for the proposed research.
- A clear plan of investigation, including a clearly defined milestone plan that identifies all critical decision points in the research programme.
- A detailed breakdown of costs.
Monitoring
The successful applicant(s) will be required to submit a progress report every 6 months during the course of the programme. At the end of the first year (12 months), a detailed review of the project and the achievements made will be provided by the principal investigator. The successful applicant(s) will also be required to prepare for publication a manuscript describing the work undertaken and the results achieved.
Scope
- Maintain a database of recent, current and planned research in the area of workplace exposure; to make this freely available. Facilitate dialogue amongst researchers and other stakeholders with a view to reducing the extent to which much current research lacks co-ordination and direction.
- A limited assessment of current research on workplace exposures was commissioned during Q4/1998. This report is available on the CEFIC Website. The 1998 inventory of research should be maintained and an update provided annually.
- The process used to compile the 1998 report should be reviewed with the aim of improving the response rates and the quality of information provided by respondents.
- The process to be used to monitor developments should make use of the Internet and the opportunities this brings, e.g. hyperlinks, discussion groups, etc. It is envisaged that this project will be seminal in serving as the major 'shop window' for the activities in the area of workplace exposures. As such, the mechanism by which the project is managed and progressed must be able to account for key developments and enable communication with key groups.
- check: CEFIC to add link to CEFIC Website University of Aberdeen and Institute of Occupational Medicine (1998). An inventory of ongoing occupational exposure research in Europe. A report for ECETOC. 17 p.
