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  • Exposure Measurement Research Group

    Exposure Measurement Research Group

    Isamu Ogura
    Group Leader:Isamu Ogura

    4 Researchers:
     Naohide Shinohara, Tomoko Oguri, Yasuyuki Zushi

    6 Contract Employees

    Outline

    Our research focuses on the measurement-based emission and exposure assessment of various chemical substances and fine particles, as well as the elucidation of their environmental occurrence and fate, and the evaluation of associated risks and mitigation strategies. Major efforts include: Evaluation of recycled plastics, microplastics from tire wear, and nanomaterials; Evaluation of indoor environments of homes and public transportation vehicles; Exposure assessment of chemical substances by analysis of house dust, food, consumer products, etc. together with biological samples (urine, blood, etc.); and Exposure and risk assessment of complex mixtures by using comprehensive analysis techniques.

    Research Highlights

    Evaluation of Plastics and Nanomaterials

    Evaluation of Recycled Plastics and Microplastics
    • Evaluation of hazardous substances in recycled plastics
    • Evaluation of microplastics in the environment resulting from tire wear

     

    X-ray fluorescence analyzer

    Recycled plastic pellets

    Safety Evaluation of Nanomaterials
    • Emissions and exposure assessment of carbon nanomaterials and cellulose nanofibers
    • Publication of documents to support voluntary safety management of nanomaterial

     

    On-site surveys

    Documents on safety assessment and management for carbon nanomaterials and cellulose nanofi

     

    Evaluation of Indoor Environments

    Exposure Assessment in Indoor Environment
    • Measurement of emission and adsorption rates of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), as well as dermal exposure, in the laboratory and actual environment, to elucidate indoor behavior of chemical substances and improve exposure risk assessment
    • Investigation of indoor mold, mites, endotoxins, and radioactive cesium

     

    Measurements in indoor environment

     

    Evaluation and Visualization of Indoor Environments in Public Transportation Vehicles
    • Investigation of ventilation and particle behavior in indoor environments of buildings and public transportation vehicles
    • Measurement and improvement of indoor environments in public transportation vehicles, and development of visualization methods of indoor environmental conditions
    • Assessment of sensor performance under various conditions for monitoring the environments both inside and outside of bus vehicle

     

    Visualization of the indoor environment of a bus

     

    Assessing Exposure to Chemical Substances

    Development of Pharmacokinetic and Exposure Reconstruction Models for Chemical Substances
    • Building  pharmacokinetic and exposure reconstruction models that link the concentration in biological samples from human biomonitoring and the estimated exposure amount via environmental media
    • Analyzing the concentrations of phthalates and other chemicals in house dust, food, consumer products, etc. for exposure assessment
    • Development of a system for estimating the effects of exposure on human fertility as health outcome

     

     

    Exposure and Risk Assessment for Complex Mixture

    Comprehensive Analysis of Mixtures by State-of-the-Art Technology
    • Development of analytical methods using state-of-the-art instruments (e.g. GC × GC) to comprehensively clarify chemical composition of mixtures occurring in the environment and in commercial/industrial products

     

    Instrument for comprehensive analysis (GC × GC)

    Substances from a mixture detected by
    GC × GC

     

    Web Platform for Assessment of Mixtures of Chemicals

    • Development of a web platform that allows users to access mixture data taken by state-of-the-art analytical instruments and directly assess the mixture
    • Development of the system to easily and thoroughly assess all of the components in a mixture detected by comprehensive analysis

     

    Mixture Touch: Web platform for assessment of complex mixturs analyzed by GC × GC