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C&IH conducts simulation studies to generate exposure data when real-world conditions cannot be measured directly, existing information is insufficient to support a reliable exposure assessment, or exposure questions are significant enough to warrant a more rigorous scientific evaluation.
Simulation studies performed by C&IH have included historical exposure reconstruction and product exposure testing to better understand how dusts, particulates, fumes, mists, gases, vapors, and other airborne contaminants may be released.
Important exposure questions often arise after a process has changed, a job site no longer exists, an operation has been modified, or a product is still under development. In these situations, direct monitoring data may be limited, absent, or not representative of the conditions that need to be evaluated.
Simulation studies provide a structured way to generate new exposure data through controlled replication of relevant work practices, environmental conditions, or product-use scenarios. This approach can help organizations make better-informed decisions related to occupational health, product stewardship, and risk management.
C&IH designs exposure simulation studies around the specific scientific question that needs to be answered. Depending on project needs, studies may involve bench-scale exposure testing, full-scale exposure testing, or workplace contaminant simulation within a controlled chamber environment configured to reflect the relevant conditions. This work can support exposure assessment in scenarios where airborne release patterns, contaminant dispersion, or inhalation exposure testing need to be evaluated under defined operating or use conditions. Rather than applying a fixed testing template, C&IH develops the study design, chamber configuration, ventilation conditions, sampling strategy, and analytical approach based on the nature of the exposure question, the available background information, and the intended use of the results
Historical exposure reconstruction may be needed when questions arise about past work practices, discontinued operations, legacy conditions, or job tasks that were never monitored directly. In these situations, exposure simulation can be used to recreate relevant conditions in a controlled setting and develop data that contributes to a more technically grounded human health risk assessment.
C&IH can design simulation studies that incorporate available historical information, process descriptions, work practice assumptions, physical parameters, and other relevant inputs to evaluate plausible exposure conditions. Simulation results may also be considered alongside historical monitoring information or exposure modeling as part of an independent scientific analysis.
C&IH also performs product exposure testing for organizations seeking to better understand how a product may release airborne contaminants during handling, application, processing, or use.
Depending on project needs, product-related studies may include product emissions testing, chemical emissions testing, off-gassing testing, inhalation exposure testing, simulated use testing, airborne release testing, emission characterization, and occupational product exposure assessment. This work can support product stewardship, new product development, and evaluation of potential health implications associated with product use
The value of a simulation study depends on whether the study design reflects the real-world conditions that matter to the exposure question. C&IH works with clients to define the relevant parameters for each project and configure the chamber environment accordingly. Relevant factors may include construction materials, physical layout, ventilation conditions, air movement, source characteristics, task sequence, and other variables that influence contaminant generation and dispersion.
Because projects can differ substantially in scale and purpose, chambers may be configured for bench-scale exposure testing or full-scale exposure testing.
C&IH’s multidisciplinary expertise supports study designs intended to produce technically sound exposure data for complex occupational and product-related questions.
Examples of simulation study applications may include:
C&IH provides national and international consulting from our office located near Denver, Colorado.