Measuring Community Exposures to Fill Critical Data Gaps

Environmental measurement data are often available at or near points of contamination or at a facility’s fence line. They are not always available, though, for the nearby community (homes, schools, and playgrounds): a critical data gap for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry when assessing the possible extent of community-level exposures and health risks.

ERG has planned, designed, and implemented several community-based exposure investigations to examine contaminant releases from landfills, power plants, concentrated animal feed operations, pulp and paper mills, gas refineries, cement kilns, and other manufacturing facilities, as well as naturally occurring asbestos releases. We have measured contaminants in air, water, soil, and biota (food chain). From identifying strategic sampling locations to building customized field apparatus to developing data analysis plans, we have gathered the data needed to address specific exposure and related health concerns expressed by community members.