Measuring Exposure in Environmental Epidemiology

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Table of Contents

Article Summary
Instruments to Measure Exposure
Conclusions
References

Environmental epidemiology focuses on the health effects of environmental factors that are beyond the immediate control of an individual. Epidemiologists frequently deal with exposures that are very large, at low concentrations, and in complex mixtures. Also, environmental exposures often do not differ greatly among individuals within one geographical area. These characteristics are challenging for epidemiologists when it comes to measuring exposure and linking exposure to a specific health problem.

In environmental epidemiological surveillance, methods of monitoring environmental exposures range from self-report to objective measurements. Assessment of exposure is highly dependent on the accuracy of the instrument used. Epidemiologists must consider both the accuracy and the feasibility of using the instrument on a large scale.

Article Summary

The article by Röösli M. (2011) reviews non-cancer effects of chemical agents on children’s health. Children are more vulnerable to the hazardous impacts both prenatally and postnatally. The effect of chemical agents may be not evident immediately and appear later. The author states that children are more influenced by chemical agents due to their physical peculiarities. “Children drink more water, eat more food and breathe more air than adults in relation to their body weight” (Röösli, 2011, p.316).

The article presents the results of a research on the influence of environmental tobacco smoking and maternal smoking during pregnancy on the sudden infant deaths. The author states that maternal smoking applies to the unborn child. After the child is born, the environmental tobacco smoking comes into effect. The children are exposed to it both at home and in the public places. The US Department of Health and Human Services (as cited in Röösli, 2011, p.317) confirms that “there is sufficient evidence that children exposed to ETS are at an increased risk for SIDS, acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma.”

Apart from smoking, indoor air pollution is under consideration. Here the harmful effect is produced by the biomass fuels like wood and coal. If the fireplaces or stoves are badly ventilated, the harmful chemicals get into the air. Outdoor air pollution has more sources such as vehicular exhaust and biomass fuels. The outdoor air pollution is better studied than the indoor. It is confirmed that outdoor air pollution “increases asthma severity in children” (Röösli, 2011, p.319). Besides, it is connected to the beginning of childhood asthma and lung infections.

Other contaminants under consideration are lead and mercury. Lead is both found in nature and used in industry. It is a neurotoxic element which may cause kidney disorders. The influence of Mercury in prenatal period may cause developmental problems in children.

The mentioned above information should be used by the communities to protect the children from harmful effects. Thus, the Maryland Environmental Health Network focuses on children protection. It provides regular research of the environmental health. Its Report presents the investigation of children’s exposure to various pollutants such as pesticides, chemicals and toxins, water contamination, air pollution, and climate change (“A report of the Maryland environmental health network,” 2013).

Instruments to Measure Exposure

The exposure can be assessed with biological measurements and measurements in the environment.

Strengths and Limitations of the Selected Instruments

Biological measurements can be a perfect approach to study the exposure since they are made on the individual. These measurements are more objective due to laboratory investigations. Still, their use may be limited because of the cost and the availability of the equipment.

Measurements in the environment detect the harmful agents in water, air, soil, etc. this instrument can be used both indoor and outdoor. The limitation of this instrument is that it indicates only the current situation (International Agency for Research of Cancer, 2017).

Instrument for Surveillance and Its Rationale

Since we deal with measuring of exposure, the biological measurements are the most suitable instruments. They help to identify the biomarkers, validate them, and finally apply in further research (Duramad & Holland, 2011).

Conclusions

Contemporary science has many methods of measuring the exposure. These measurements and their further analysis are necessary for receiving the picture of the epidemiologic situation in the environment. The careful study of the exposures is important for reduction of their impact on the health of the population.

References

A report of the Maryland environmental health network (2013). Web.

Duramad, P., & Holland, N. T. (2011). Biomarkers of immunotoxicity for environmental and public health research. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(5), 1388–1401.

International Agency for Research of Cancer (2017). Measurements of exposures and outcomes. In Cancer epidemiology: principles and methods. Web.

Röösli, M. (2011). Non-cancer effects of chemical agents on children’s health. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology, 107, 315-322.

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