Building a European exposure science strategy

Abstract

Exposure information is a critical element in various regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks in Europe and elsewhere. Exposure science supports to ensure safe environments, reduce human health risks, and foster a sustainable future. However, increasing diversity in regulations and the lack of a professional identity as exposure scientists currently hamper developing the field and uptake into European policy. In response, we discuss trends, and identify three key needs for advancing and harmonizing exposure science and its application in Europe. We provide overarching building blocks and define six long-term activities to address the identified key needs, and to iteratively improve guidelines, tools, data, and education. More specifically, we propose creating European networks to maximize synergies with adjacent fields and identify funding opportunities, building common exposure assessment approaches across regulations, providing tiered education and training programmes, developing an aligned and integrated exposure assessment framework, offering best practices guidance, and launching an exposure information exchange platform. Dedicated working groups will further specify these activities in a consistent action plan. Together, these elements form the foundation for establishing goals and an action roadmap for successfully developing and implementing a 'European Exposure Science Strategy' 2020-2030, which is aligned with advances in science and technology.

Keywords: Environmental exposure; Exposure assessment; Human exposure; ISES Europe; International Society of Exposure Science; Risk assessment.

Fig. 1

List of major European regulations, and international treaties and policy frameworks currently in force, where exposure information in relation to different stressors is an essential element. Note that only those regulations are listed that are still in force, while exposure information might have been already introduced in preceding regulations (e.g. Council Directive 91/414/EEC for Plant Protection Products)

Fig. 2

Process cycle for building a European Exposure Science Strategy by 2020 with definition of goals and roadmap, and implementing the strategy in Europe during 2020–2030 as key points to harmonise and improve exposure guidelines and tools, databases, and education and training activities in Europe

Fig. 3

Key needs for exposure science in Europe, and capacity building blocks and related main proposed activities of a European Exposure Science Strategy to address these needs