Susan Woskie, Ph.D., C.I.H.

Over the years I have collaborated in large occupational epidemiolgic studies with colleagues at a number of universities. The different hazards and industries represented in my publication record reflect the wide range of industrial hygiene research in which I have been involved. In the vast majority of these collaborations, my role has been to develop new approaches to the complex task of exposure assessment for epidemiologic studies, producing effective dose or exposure estimates for these occupational study populations. In these studies the assessment of exposure was seen as a necessary element in the effort to relate an observed health effect to a workplace exposure. My work in exposure assessment involves the tailored application of a set of tools to identify, evaluate and describe occupational exposures. This work requires the appropriate choice of biologically relevant sampling and analytical methods, including the determination of relevant "marker" compounds for complex mixtures. In some cases it includes the development of sampling or analytical methods to better characterize the exposures. In other cases it includes historical reconstruction of exposures for the industry or the individual. More recently I have begun to work in the area of biomarkers of exposure, as a means of addressing all of the routes of exposure of an individual. Focusing on biomarkers has also returned me to a previous area of research, toxicokinetic modeling. I have also had a long term interest in using statistical modeling methods to examine the workplace determinants of exposure. I believe these methods can be used to identify and target exposure control strategies that will have maximum effectiveness. In collaboration with other colleagues here at UMass Lowell, we have begun a Center for Occupational and Environmental Exposure Assessment (COEEA). The mission of the Center is to apply methods from occupational, environmental, biomedical and biostatistical sciences to the development of new approaches to total exposure assessment so that the evaluation, control and communication of human health risks will be based on a wholistic view of exposure. The goals of the Center include: 1) Developing statistical methods for exposure assessment; 2) Developing new analytical methods for consumer products and emerging technologies, for mixed exposure scenarios and for biological markers of exposure; 3) Developing methods to integrate total exposure assessment into epidemiology and risk assessment; 4) Applying total exposure assessment methods to the development of exposure reduction interventions; and 5) Developing and evaluating interventions to control hazards faced by vulnerable populations. The Center core includes the Coia Occupational Hygiene Laboratory and the Citizens Environmental Laboratory. These laboratory facilities include a broad array of analytical equipment for air, water, biological fluid and soil analysis of chemical exposures, as well as a variety of direct reading and integrated sampling equipment types