A full chain mechanistic approach assessing health risks from multiple sources in indoor environments

Citation

Sarigiannis D, Gotti A, Karakitsios S, Asikainen A, Jantunen M, Semple S, Torfs R, de Brouwere K, Galea K & van Tongeren M (2011) A full chain mechanistic approach assessing health risks from multiple sources in indoor environments. In: 12th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate 2011, volume 3. 12th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate 2011, Austin, TX, USA, 05.06.2011-10.06.2011. Vermont, USA: International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ), pp. 2199-2205. http://www.proceedings.com/18032.html

Abstract
This study aims at developing a mechanistic model for assessing exposure and health risks posed by indoor air pollution. The modeling approach is implemented in a computational platform that allows the interconnection between several steps of the full-chain assessment through proper models and algorithms. The integrated modelling environment comprises four modules, as follows: Emissions-concentrations module, linking emission sources to indoor air concentrations, through IAQ modelling. Exposure module, linking the temporal variation of indoor air contamination to human exposure by taking into account time-activity, housing conditions, etc. Internal dosimetry module, linking the temporal variation of exposure to internal dose dynamics through Physiology Based PharmacoKinetic/Dynamic (PBPK/D) modelling. Health effects module, linking internal dose dynamics to possible health outcomes through Biology Based Dose Response (BBDR) models. The source-to-health outcome assessment is performed through a fully mechanistic approach, accounting for mixture effects assessment and biomonitoring data interpretation.