How does ATSDR determine which exposure situations to evaluate?
ATSDR scientists evaluate site conditions to determine if people could have been (a past scenario), are (a current scenario), or could be (a future scenario) exposed to site-related contaminants. When evaluating exposure pathways, ATSDR identifies whether exposure to contaminated media (soil, water, air, waste, or biota) has occurred, is occurring, or will occur through ingestion, dermal (skin) contact, or inhalation. ATSDR also identifies an exposure pathway as completed or potential, or eliminates the pathway from further evaluation. Completed exposure pathways exist if all elements of a human exposure are present. (See Appendix B for a description of the elements of a completed exposure pathway.) A potential pathway is one that ATSDR cannot rule out, because one or more of the pathway elements can not be definitely proved or disproved. A pathway is eliminated if one or more of the elements is definitely absent. If exposure was, is, or could be possible, ATSDR scientists then conside
Related Questions
- How is DOL going to determine if it is "at least as likely as not" that exposure to a toxic substance was a significant factor in the development of a covered illness?
- How do ATSDR scientists determine which exposure situations and contaminants to evaluate?
- How does ATSDR determine which exposure situations to evaluate?
