Indoor exposure models
| The Air Pollutants Exposure Model | |
| Short description |
The Air Pollutants Exposure Model (APEX) is intended to be applied at the local, urban, or consolidated metropolitan area scale and currently only addresses inhalation exposures. The model simulates the movement of individuals through time and space and their exposure to the given pollutant in various microenvironments (e.g., outdoors, indoors residence, in-vehicle). The user may choose the number and types of microenvironments to be included, select the time period of interest, use either monitored ambient air quality data or values provided from dispersion or other modeling runs, and use either a mass balance approach or an empirical ratio-based (factor) approach to estimate indoor and/or in-vehicle concentrations. Results of the APEX simulations are provided as hourly and summary exposure and/or dose estimates, depending on the application, for each individual included in the simulation as well as summary statistics for the population modeled. |
| Regional coverage | |
| Hazardous Air Pollutant Exposure Model (HAPEM) | |
| Short description |
The HAPEM model has been designed to estimate inhalation exposure for selected population groups to various air toxics. Through a series of calculation routines, the model makes use of ambient air concentration data, indoor/outdoor microenvironment concentration relationship data, population data, and human activity pattern data to estimate an expected range of inhalation exposure concentrations for groups of individuals. |
| Regional coverage | |
| RISK Indoor Air Quality model | |
| Short description |
The latest published version of the RISK computer model is designed to allow calculation of individual exposure to indoor air pollutants from sources. The model runs in the MS-Windows operating environment and is designed to calculate exposure due to individual, as opposed to population, activity patterns and source use. The model also provides the capability to calculate risk due to the calculated exposure |
| Regional coverage | |
| Simulation Tool Kit for Indoor Air Quality and Inhalation Exposure (IAQX) | |
| Short description |
IAQX is a Microsoft Windows-based IAQ simulation software package that complements and supplements existing IAQ simulation programs (such as RISK) and is designed mainly for advanced users. In addition to performing conventional IAQ simulations, which compute the time/concentration profile and inhalation exposure, IAQX can estimate the adequate ventilation rate when certain air quality criteria are provided by the user, a unique feature useful for product stewardship and risk management. |
| Regional coverage | |
| Wall Paint Exposure Model (WPEM) | |
| Short description |
WPEM estimates the potential exposure of consumers and workers to the chemicals emitted from wall paint which is applied using a roller or a brush. WPEM is a software product that uses mathematical models developed from small chamber data to estimate the emissions of chemicals from oil-based (alkyd) and latex wall paint. This is then combined with detailed use, workload and occupancy data (e.g., amount of time spent in the painted room, etc,) to estimate exposure. |
| Regional coverage | |
| Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation (SHEDS) | |
| Short description |
SHEDS-Multimedia version 3 is a probabilistic aggregate residential exposure model. Other SHEDS models, with similar approaches but addressing different chemical classes and exposure scenarios, have been developed by EPA/ORD’s exposure modeling research program to address exposures to particulate matter (SHEDS-PM), air toxics (SHEDS-ATOX), and wood (SHEDS-Wood) This modeling tool can help predict ranges of exposure in a population, enhance dose model estimates, identify critical pathways and factors, quantify uncertainties, and compare model predictions against real-world data. It has a number of unique features that advance the science of human exposure assessment, and has been peer reviewed and applied for research and regulatory support. SHEDS can link with measurements, source models, and PBPK models to quantify and reduce uncertainty in risk assessments. |
| Regional coverage | |
| Exposure and Fate Assessment Screening Tool (E-FAST) | |
| Short description |
The Exposure and Fate Assessment Screening Tool, Version 2.0, also known as E-FAST V2.0, is a screening-level computer tool that allows users to estimate chemical concentrations in water to which aquatic life may be exposed, as well as generate human inhalation, drinking water ingestion, and fish ingestion exposures resulting from chemical releases to air, water, and land. E-FAST V2.0 is appropriate for use as a screening tool to assess potential exposures from chemical discharges to air (stack or fugitive releases), surface water, or land. E-FAST V2.0 can also be used to estimate potential inhalation and dermal exposures to consumer products, such as hard surface cleaners, soaps, air fresheners, paints, gasoline, and motor oil. The exposed populations assessed by the model are either some segment of the general population or consumers. |
| Regional coverage | |