External occupational exposome mapping

EPHOR defines the working-life exposome as all occupational and related non-occupational exposures throughout life. With this approach studies will shift from one occupational exposure in relation to one defined health endpoint towards multiple exposures and health endpoints.  It is now recognised that ensuring the health of workers is not just about measuring and complying with exposures to single hazardous substances, but to a more holistic approach. This approach is called the 'exposome' and takes into account not just hazardous chemical exposures, but ensures that other potentially harmful exposures and stressors are evaluated and minimised. To be able to characterize the occupational exposome, new technologies are needed to be able to measure.  

Current traditional measuring methods to prevent hazardous and unhealthy situations at work show results of exposure on an average working day without any peaks. In addition, contextual information important for the interpretation of the measurements is collected by observations and questionnaires. These traditional methods have several limitations which included that they are labor intensive, expensive and the amount of data is often too limited to draw firm conclusions.   
 
Within EPHOR we developed or further developed the following external exposome measurement methods:  

• Sensors: A personal device measuring in real time one or several exposures.  
• Passive samplers: An optimized method to measure individual’s (semi-) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exposure over prolonged periods. 
• EMA questionnaires: Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) for repeated sampling of more qualitative parameters via an online questionnaire.  

What are you interested in? 
Sensors

Passive samplers

EMA questionnaires