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Environmental Stressor And Exposure Information For Older Adults
Kent Thomas1, Stephanie Buehler2, Nancy Wilson2, Sydney Gordon2, James Raymer2, Larry Michael3, and William Studabaker3
1 - U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory
2 - Battelle
3 - RTI International
By the year 2030, it is estimated that more than 70 million Americans (and 960 million people worldwide) will be age 65 or older. This aging population is expected to constitute approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population at that time. Despite these projected figures, little is known about many of the potential environmental exposures and linked adverse health effects facing this population. Aging-related changes in behaviors can alter exposure patterns. Older adults may be at increased risk for some of the environmental hazards to which they are exposed. Certain subpopulations of the elderly may be more susceptible to environmental exposures due to differences in health status, physiological changes, medications, diet, physical activity, and genetics. Additional susceptibilities may be incurred due to accumulated lifetime exposures to contaminants or from the effects of previous exposures. A better understanding of exposures to environmental stressors for older adults is needed to address these concerns. Goals of this work were to:
- review recent literature to identify potentially important chemical and biological stressors for older adults,
- compile and summarize existing exposure information and data for important chemical and biological stressors in older populations, and
- identify data gaps and research needed to improve the exposure component of risk assessment for older populations and subpopulations.
Disclaimer: Although this work was reviewed by EPA and approved for publication, it may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy.