Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.envint.2011.02.015
Title (Primary) Cumulative risk assessment of chemical exposures in urban environments
Author Ragas, A.M.J.; Oldenkamp, R.; Preeker, N.L.; Wernicke, J.; Schlink, U. ORCID logo
Source Titel Environment International
Year 2011
Department STUDIEN
Volume 37
Issue 5
Page From 872
Page To 881
Language englisch
Keywords Multiple stress; Risk assessment; Exposure assessment; Effect assessment; Hazard index; DALY
Abstract We performed a cumulative risk assessment for people living in a hypothetical urban environment, called Urbania. The main aims of the study were to demonstrate how a cumulative risk assessment for a middle-sized European city can be performed and to identify the bottlenecks in terms of data availability and knowledge gaps. The assessment focused on five air pollutants (i.e., PM10, benzene, toluene, nonane and naphthalene) and six food pesticides (i.e., acetamiprid, carbendazim, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, imidacloprid and permethrin). Exposure predictions showed that PM10, benzene and naphthalene exposure frequently exceeded the standards, and that the indoor environment contributed more than the outdoor environment. Effect predictions showed that mixture and interaction effects were generally limited. However, model calculations indicated potential synergistic effects between naphthalene and benzene and between chlorpyrifos, diazinon and toluene. PM10 dominated the health impact expressed in Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). We conclude that measures to reduce the health impact of environmental pollution should focus on the improvement of indoor air quality and the reduction of PM10 emissions. Cumulative risk assessment can be improved by (1) the development of person-oriented exposure models that can simulate the cumulative exposure history of individuals, (2) a better mechanistic understanding of the effects of cumulative stressors, and (3) the development of instruments to prioritize stressors for inclusion in cumulative risk assessments.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=11070
Ragas, A.M.J., Oldenkamp, R., Preeker, N.L., Wernicke, J., Schlink, U. (2011):
Cumulative risk assessment of chemical exposures in urban environments
Environ. Int. 37 (5), 872 - 881 10.1016/j.envint.2011.02.015