Human biomonitoring plays a critical role in tracking the chemicals that people are exposed in their every-day life and how their exposure changes over time. Using QAEHS human biomonitoring data collected over the last 25 years, this project explores the factors that influence people’s exposure to persistent chemicals, like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in Australia.
First, toxicokinetic models will be tailored to the Australian context to calculate robust and accurate estimates of chemical intake across the population. Intake estimates will then be paired with the reconstruction of chemical concentrations in key exposure sources, to quantify the contribution and relative importance of each source to people’s intake. Lastly, the project will examine areas where regulatory action to reduce exposure could make a meaningful difference to public health, supporting regulators to make proportionate and evidence-based decisions on the management of persistent chemicals in Australia.
This project is conducted in partnership with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, helping to bring together science and policy.
