A new method of longitudinal diary assembly for human exposure modeling

Glen, G; Smith, L; Isaacs, K; Mccurdy, T; Langstaff, J

HERO ID

783947

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2008

Language

English

PMID

17805233

HERO ID 783947
In Press No
Year 2008
Title A new method of longitudinal diary assembly for human exposure modeling
Authors Glen, G; Smith, L; Isaacs, K; Mccurdy, T; Langstaff, J
Journal Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology
Volume 18
Issue 3
Page Numbers 299-311
Abstract Human exposure time-series modeling requires longitudinal time-activity diaries to evaluate the sequence of concentrations encountered, and hence, pollutant exposure for the simulated individuals. However, most of the available data on human activities are from cross-sectional surveys that typically sample 1 day per person. A procedure is needed for combining cross-sectional activity data into multiple-day (longitudinal) sequences that can capture day-to-day variability in human exposures. Properly accounting for intra- and interindividual variability in these sequences can have a significant effect on exposure estimates and on the resulting health risk assessments. This paper describes a new method of developing such longitudinal sequences, based on ranking 1-day activity diaries with respect to a user-chosen key variable. Two statistics, "D" and "A", are targeted. The D statistic reflects the relative importance of within- and between-person variance with respect to the key variable. The A statistic quantifies the day-to-day (lag-one) autocorrelation. The user selects appropriate target values for both D and A. The new method then stochastically assembles longitudinal diaries that collectively meet these targets. On the basis of numerous simulations, the D and A targets are closely attained for exposure analysis periods >30 days in duration, and reasonably well for shorter simulation periods. Longitudinal diary data from a field study suggest that D and A are stable over time, and perhaps over cohorts as well. The new method can be used with any cohort definitions and diary pool assignments, making it easily adaptable to most exposure models. Implementation of the new method in its basic form is described, and various extensions beyond the basic form are discussed.
Doi 10.1038/sj.jes.7500595
Pmid 17805233
Wosid WOS:000255057100009
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword activity diaries; exposure modeling; variance; diversity; autocorrelation
Is Qa No