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Chemical Exposure
Research Branch
The Chemical Exposure Research Branch (CERB) of the Microbiological & Chemical Exposure Assessment Research Division (MCEARD), National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) operates within the Office of Research and Development (ORD). The Branch conducts research which is designed to reduce uncertainty in risk assessment by providing analytical methods to measure human exposure and provide data on human exposure. This research is conducted through a combination of intramural and complementary extramural programs. The Branch develops, improves, and validates sensitive instrumental based analytical methodologies for measuring inorganic and volatile, semi-volatile and non-volatile organic pollutants in aqueous and solid matrices to support exposure assessment and regulatory programs. State-of-the-art instrumentation is adapted, modified, and applied to chemical exposure determination and indicator assessment. This leads to the development of reliable analytical methods which accurately identify and precisely measure chemical pollutants and their metabolites. Through this process, hazardous chemicals of emerging significance and interest can be identified. The work of this branch includes interpretation and guidance concerning analytical methods to support a wide array of Agency programs. The Chemical Exposure Research Branch is the center of expertise for the development of dietary exposure methods, models, and monitoring procedures to better understand and quantify human exposure from pollutants in foods and beverages, including drinking water. These efforts complement those of the NERL multimedia human exposure research program. Research is conducted to identify, evaluate, and reduce exposures from the ingestion of foods and water caused by bioaccumulation of contaminants and interactions with other environmental media. This work includes adaptation of existing analytical methods to support special exposure monitoring programs, and the determination of organic and inorganic pollutants in water and food matrices through coordination of extramural programs and through the use of Branch staff for small-scale studies. The Branch documents procedures and research results as standardized methods and in peer-reviewed publications.
LABORATORY METHODS
- Online Chemical Methods:
These methods are available in Adobe Acrobat ® PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files. See EPA's PDF page for more information about getting and using the free Acrobat Reader.
Drinking Water Methods
Marine Water Methods
- Additional Methods:
Summaries and ordering information for eight Laboratory Analytical Chemistry Methods Manuals published by the EPA between 1988 and 1995 are available.
SOFTWARE
- Dietary Exposure Potential Model Software:
Dietary Exposure Potential Model (DEPM) software is available for downloading. The DEPM correlates extant food information in a format for estimating dietary exposure.
OTHER
- Other CERB items of interest:
Speciation of Non-Pesticidal Organotin Compounds Using Gas Chromatography with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry is a poster that is available for downloading (PDF, 1 pp., 1.7 MB).
Branch Chief:
Dr. Jeffrey Morgan