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Gregory G. Miller1, Daniel A. Axelrad2, and Tracey J. Woodruff2. (1) Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (MC 1809T), Washington, DC 20460, 202-566-2310, miller.gregory@epa.gov, (2) Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation, US Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Mail Code 1809, Washington, DC 20460
Numerous risk assessments have examined air pollutant exposure of the average adult at both residential and occupational locations. However, exposure to air pollutants is not limited to the adult population. Relatively few studies have attempted to assess children’s exposures while accounting for the location where children spend significant amounts of their time: schools. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has used dispersion modeling to estimate long-term outdoor concentrations of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) at the census tract-level for the entire continental United States. Census tract-level estimates of benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, chromium and diesel engine exhaust ambient concentrations were analyzed using Geographic Information system (GIS) software in conjunction with national data on school location and US Census Data. The air pollution concentration at a school/residence was assigned according to the census tract in which the school/residence was located. Distributions of exposure, weighted by numbers of children, were calculated for both schools and residences. Exposure estimates were then compared to available toxicity values in order to determine if outdoor air pollution levels at schools and residences exceeded benchmarks of concern for health risk.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.