Characterizing Environmental Inequalities Using Integrated Exposure Assessment and Spatial Approach

Abstract BackgroundAt a regional or continental scale, the characterization of environmental health inequalities (EHI) expresses the idea that populations are not equal in the face of pollution. It implies the analysis in order to identifying and managing areas at risk of overexposure where increasing risk to human health is suspected. The development of methods is a prerequisite for the implementation of public health actions aimed at the protection of populations.MethodsThis paper presents the methodological framework developed by INERIS (French national institute for industrial environment and risks) to identify a common framework for conceptualizing and operationalizing environmental exposures as an important step towards articulating a science of EHI. We develop an integrated exposure assessment approach capable to integrate the multiplicity of exposure pathways from various sources, through a series of models up to the internal exposure.ResultsMeasured data from environmental networks reflecting the actual contamination of the environment are reused to characterize the population's exposure. Sophisticated methods of spatial analysis are applied to include additional information and take benefit from spatial and inter-variable correlation to improve data representativeness and characterize associated uncertainty. Integrated approaches bring together all information necessary for assessing the source-to-human-dose continuum using Geographic Information System, multimedia exposure and toxicokinetic model. ConclusionThis framework could be used for many purposes, such as mapping EHI, identifying vulnerable populations and determinants of exposure to manage and plan remedial actions and assessing spatial relationships between health and environmental to identify factors that influence the variability of disease patterns.