Online Questionnaires for Gathering Exposure Factors for Dermal Exposure to Consumer Articles (Textiles, PVC Flooring and Paper): Results and Experience from the DRESS Project

摘要

Dermal exposure to substances present in articles is more than likely affected by the nature, frequency, area and duration of contact between articles and skin. By lack of sound information on these dermal exposure factors for articles, crude assumptions are currently applied in lower tier dermal exposure models for articles, and even in higher tier dermal exposure assessment studies published in scientific literature. In order to advance from assumption-based towards facts-based exposure factors for dermal exposure to substances in articles, an online questionnaire was launched in the framework of the DRESS (DeRmal Exposure assessment Strategies) project. The final aim was to recruit information on habits and practices in order to derive sound exposure factors. The questionnaire was focused on three article categories: textiles, PVC flooring and paper articles, covering in total about 20 specific articles. The questionnaire included dedicated questions about penetration of the articles in their everyday life, frequency and duration of contact with specific articles, use context and habits. The online questionnaire was completed by 9000 individuals (＞ 18 years), recruited from the IPSOS panel in 6 EU countries (Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Poland, Sweden, UK). The sample population was a balanced representation of society in terms of region, age, gender, and occupational status. Survey results will be presented, including variability of responses, and differences between regions, gender and age. It will be explained how the survey results were used for derivation of dermal exposure factors, exposure scenario development, and illustrations in case studies will be given. In addition, limitations of the use of questionnaires for derivation of some dermal exposure factors will be discussed, together with suggestions for alternative approaches. Acknowledgments: Project funded by Cefic LRI contract LRI B9.