The Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grants program is pleased to announce the release of a new report entitled “Feasibility of Estimating Pesticide Exposure and Dose in Children Using Biological Measurements.” This report provides an overview of 12 research grants funded through the STAR program aimed at advancing the state of knowledge concerning children’s exposure to pesticides through the use of biological markers, or biomarkers.
Biomarkers are tools that can strengthen risk assessment by filling in important gaps along the exposure-to-disease continuum, refine estimates of exposure, dose and effect, and provide information about human susceptibility. The STAR program on biomarkers research has increased our understanding of human exposure and its relationship to dose at the target site through the use of biological measurements and the development of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models. This research has added to the available data on children’s pesticide exposure patterns and confirmed the usefulness of biomarkers for assessing exposure. Additionally, the research has been used by EPA to develop handbooks, guidance documents, and risk assessments.
EPA documents already citing this research include:
The STAR program continues to build upon existing and emerging knowledge to produce results that can be directly applied to reduce uncertainty in risk assessment.
