About the Exposure Factors Program
On this page:
Since the first version of the EFH was released in 1989, the need for the most up-to-date and accurate data on exposure factors used in assessing exposure to contaminants in the environment is of high priority to exposure assessors throughout the U.S. The completion of the 2011 edition of the Exposure Factors Handbook has only been the first step in fulfilling this need. In October 2017, EPA released the first chapter update, Chapter 5:Soil and Dust Ingestion with the latest data available (see Downloads for this latest version).
Exposure Factors Program Products
- Exposure Factors Handbook: 2011 Edition
- Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (2008)
- EPA's Food Commodity Intake Database (FCID) - What we Eat in America (2005-2010)
- Exposure Factors Interactive Resource for Scenarios Tool (ExpoFIRST) (Version 2.0)
- Analysis of Total Food Intake and Composition of Individual's Diet Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1994-96, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) (2005, Final Report) (based on the 1997 Handbook)
- CSFII Analysis of Food Intake Distributions (2003) (based on the 1997 Handbook)
- Analysis of Fat Intake Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1994-96, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) (2007, Final Report) (based on the 1997 Handbook)
- Soil Ingestion Colloquium (2005, Final Report)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1994-96, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intake By Individuals (CSFII)
Related Information
- Guidance on Selecting Age Groups for Monitoring and Assessing Childhood Exposures to Environmental Contaminants
- Example Exposure Scenarios Assessment Tool
- Distributions for Exposure Factors (based on the 1997 Handbook)
- Exposure Factors Finder CD-ROM (based on the 1997 Handbook)
Background
Background
The Exposure Factors Handbook provides a summary of the available statistical data on various factors used in assessing human exposure including drinking water consumption, soil ingestion rates, inhalation rates, dermal factors including skin area and soil adherence factors, consumption of fruits and vegetables, fish, meats, dairy products, homegrown foods, breast milk intake, human activity factors, consumer product use, and residential characteristics. The development of the Exposure Factors Handbook has brought to light the importance of the availability of the most up-to-date and accurate data on exposure factors used in assessing exposure to contaminants in the environment. During the preparation of the Exposure Factors Handbook, many data gaps were identified. In order to fulfill those data gaps further research was necessary. Results from this research will assist in keeping the Handbook updated and is the basis of the EPA Exposure Factors Program.This site is intended to provide a "one-stop-shop" where the most current results from the EPA Exposure Factors Program can be found.
Most materials are found also under the EPA ExpoBox Application at https://www.epa.gov/expobox
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 01- May 1989 | EPA released the first Exposure Factors Handbook (Final Report) (EPA/600/8-89/043). |
| 02- Aug 1997 | EPA released an updated Exposure Factors Handbook (Final Report) (EPA/600/P-95/002F, A-C, 1997). |
| 03- Jul 2000 | EPA released the report, Exposure Factors Distributions (based on the 1997 Handbook). |
| 04- Apr 2001 | EPA released the Factor Finder CD-ROM (based on the 1997 Handbook). |
| 05- Sep 2003 | EPA released the report, CSFII Analysis of Food Intake Distributions (based on the 1997 Handbook). |
| 06- Sep 2004 | EPA released the Example Exposure Scenarios Tool. |
| 07- Nov 2005 | EPA released the report, Guidance on Selecting Age Groups for Monitoring and Assessing Childhood Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (EPA/630/P-03/003F). |
| 08- Mar 2007 | EPA released the report, Analysis of Fat Intake Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1994-96, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes By Individuals (CSFII) (EPA/600/R-05/021). |
| 09- Oct 2008 | EPA released the report, Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (EPA/600/R-06/096F). |
| 10- Jun 2009 | EPA released the report, Metabolically Derived Human Ventilation Rates: A Revised Approach Based Upon Oxygen Consumption Rates (EPA/600/R-06/129F). |
| 11- Oct 2009 | EPA released the Highlights of the Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (EPA/600/R-08/135). |
| 12- Oct 2011 | EPA released the updated report, Exposure Factors Handbook: 2011 Edition (EPA/600/R-09/052F). This is the latest version. |
| 13- Nov 2011 | EPA released the Highlights of the Exposure Factors Handbook (EPA/600/R-10/030). |
| 14- Oct 2017 | EPA released the Update for Chapter 5 of the Exposure Factors Handbook: Soil and Dust Ingestion (EPA/600/R-17/384F). |
Download(s)
Related Link(s)
- Volatilization Rates From Water To Indoor Air Phase II
- Sociodemographic Data Used For Identifying Potentially Highly Exposed Populations
- Soil Intake Rates For Both Adults And Children
- Analysis of Fat Intake Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1994-96, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII, Final Report)
- Analysis Of Total Food Intake And Composition Of Individual's Diet Based On The U.S. DEPArtment Of Agriculture's 1994-96, 1998 Continuing Survey Of Food Intakes By Individuals (CSFII) (2005, Final Report)
- Soil Ingestion Colloquium (2005)
- Summary Report Of A Peer Involvement Workshop On The Development Of An Exposure Factors Handbook For The Aging
- Metabolically Derived Human Ventilation Rates: A Revised Approach Based Upon Oxygen Consumption Rates (Final Report, 2009)
- Child-Specific Exposure Scenarios Examples (Final Report)