Case study on ultrafine particles
- The text on this page is taken from an equivalent page of the IEHIAS-project.
A European expert panel was held on the health effects of ultrafine particles. The aims were
- to test the methodology described in the protocol for developing exposure response functions;
- to test the protocol for organizing an expert elicitation;
- an interest in the causal mechanisms underlying UFP-related health effects; and
- an interest in the exposure response functions for these health effects.
Two papers are published on this expert panel:
- Hoek, G., Boogaard, H., et al. 2009 Concentration response functions for ultrafine particles and all-cause mortality and hospital admissions: results of a European expert panel elicitation. Environmental Science and Technology 44, 476-482.
- Knol, A. B., de Hartog, J.J. et al. 2009 Expert elicitation on ultrafine particles: likelihood of health effects and causal pathways. Particle and Fibre Toxicology 6: 19.
Hoek et al. (2009) describes concentration-response functions of ultrafine particles and mortality and hospital admissions. The reported results by Knol et al. include information about the likelihood of a causal relationship between ultrafine particles and diverse adverse health effects together with potential mechanisms of action. The information elicted in the expert elicitation can be used in health impact assessment.
Explanation of the method
The general methodology for expert elicitation is described on page Expert elicitation methodology.
The specific methods applied in the context of ultrafine particles are outlined in the published studies (see references).
