The Advanced REACH Tool (ART): incorporation of an exposure measurement database

This article describes the structure, functionalities, and content of the Advanced REACH Tool (ART) exposure database (version 1.5). The incorporation of the exposure database into ART allows users who do not have their own measurement data for their exposure scenario, to update the exposure estimates produced by the mechanistic model using analogous measurement series selected from the ART exposure measurement database. Depending on user input for substance category and activity (sub)classes, the system selects exposure measurement series from the exposure database. The comprehensive scenario descriptions and summary statistics assist the user in deciding if the measurement series are indeed fully analogous. After selecting one or more analogous data sets, the data are used by the Bayesian module of the ART system to update the mechanistically modeled exposure estimates. The 1944 exposure measurements currently stored in the ART exposure measurement database cover 9 exposure situations for handling solid objects (n = 65), 42 situations for handling powders, granules, or pelletized material (n = 488), 5 situations for handling low-volatility liquids (n = 88), 35 situations for handling volatile liquids (n = 870), and 26 situations for handling liquids in which powders are dissolved or dispersed (resulting in exposure to mist) (n = 433). These 117 measurement series form a good basis for supporting user exposure estimates. However, by increasing the diversity of exposure situations and the number of measurement series in the database, the usefulness of the ART system will be further improved. Suggestions to stimulate the process of sharing exposure measurement data both to increase the available data in the ART and for other purposes are made.