Abstract No:
1511
Abstract Type:
Professional Poster
Authors:
M Sit1
Institutions:
1ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Inc., Edina, MN
Presenter:
Madeline Sit, MPH
ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Inc.
Description:
How can global companies improve the consistency and efficiency of exposure assessments across work sites? This poster presents a framework for harmonizing Similar Exposure Groups using process- and task-based data. By Attendees will gain a glimpse into how a data dictionary-built from industrial hygiene monitoring data and validated with statistics and site industrial hygienists-can streamline exposure comparisons, reduce sampling burdens, and enhance risk management strategies. Aligning work areas, processes, and tasks across sites enables more meaningful aggregation of exposure data and supports consistent qualitative and quantitative assessments across. This approach empowers industrial hygienists to make informed decisions and fosters a unified strategy for exposure evaluation across a global enterprise.
Situation / Problem:
Corporations face increasing pressure to rationalize exposure assessments across diverse operations. Many large companies operate similar processes at multiple sites, often with comparable (but not necessarily identical) feedstocks, or operating practices. Naming conventions and terminology, often locally defined, and documentation standards create challenges in comparing and aggregating exposure data meaningfully. This variability in how work areas, job groups, and tasks are documented across sites and over time limits the ability to identify trends, support consistent risk management, and effectively leverage global data.
Recent proposals to update exposure assessment approaches, including those from NIOSH, advocate for the use of informed priors to improve exposure characterization, while reducing the number of samples collected, if possible. To address this, we developed a framework to identify global Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs) using process- and task-based data. A data dictionary of process descriptions, associated work areas, tasks, and exposure factors, such as duration and frequency of task, was developed. This work will improve data quality and allow for better comparison between job groups across sites, enabling more efficient risk assessments.
Methods:
A corporation-wide review of process names was conducted to identify how local operations characterize work areas. Similarly, task descriptions were analyzed to determine common activities and associated controls, enabling the creation of a general cross-reference list. Interviews with site occupational health professionals informed and validated this list, ensuring relevance and usability across regions.
Industrial hygiene monitoring data and contextual information were extracted from all participating sites. Exposure distributions by SEG and task were analyzed using ExpoStats and JMP software. Statistical and contextual evaluations were used to determine whether groups could be merged or considered similar across the corporation. This process supported the development of harmonized SEGs and a data dictionary linking process descriptions, work areas, tasks, and exposure determinants such as duration, frequency, engineering controls, administrative controls, and stream concentration.
Results / Conclusions:
Preliminary findings indicate that full-shift exposure data are generally comparable across sites, especially for well-characterized and controlled processes. However, task-level homogeneity varies and depends on the quality of task descriptions, consistency of control measures, stream composition, and accurate documentation of task duration and frequency.
Exposure distribution analysis provides a strong basis for site industrial hygienists to determine whether detailed assessments are needed or if existing controls can be implemented or validated. The cross-reference tool developed through this effort enables comparison of similar tasks and processes across sites, supporting both current exposure evaluations and future epidemiological studies.
This work underscores the critical role of contextual information-such as task details, operating conditions, and control strategies-in interpreting exposure data. Guidance is being developed to harmonize the collection and documentation of this information across sites, ensuring consistent capture of exposure determinants and enabling meaningful data aggregation.
The creation of a global data dictionary and cross-reference tool is a key step toward improving consistency in identifying work areas, facilitating exposure data comparisons, and supporting corporate reporting requirements. Validating the homogeneity of SEGs across regions provides a robust foundation for exposure assessment and strengthens the justification for implementing or validating risk management measures.
By enabling industrial hygienists to compare exposure results across worker groups and locations, the data dictionary helps reduce sampling burdens, improve assessment efficiency, and optimize resource allocation. This framework supports the use of informed priors-aligned with emerging guidance from NIOSH-and enhances both qualitative and quantitative assessments.
Ultimately, this effort provides a scalable and practical approach to harmonizing exposure data across global operations, improving decision-making, and advancing the strategic application of exposure science.
Core Competencies:
Exposure Assessment
Secondary Core Competencies:
IH/OH Program Management
Work Environments, Occupations, and Industrial Processes
Choose at least one (1), and up to five, (5) keywords from the following list. These selections will optimize your presentation's search results for attendees.
Exposure Assessment
Risk assessment and management
Based on the selected primary competency area of your proposal, select one group below that would be best suited to serve as a subject matter expert for peer review:
(Select one)
Exposure Assessment Strategies Committee
Based on the information that will be presented during your proposed session, please indicate the targeted audience practice level: (select one)
Professional: Professional is a job title given to persons who have obtained a baccalaureate or graduate degree in IH/OH, public health, safety, environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering or who have a degree in another area that meets the standards set forth in the next section, Knowledge and Skill Sets of IH/OH Practice Levels, and has had 4 or more years of practice. One significant way of demonstrating professional competence is to achieve certification by a 3rd party whose certification scheme is recognized by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) such as the Board of Global EHS Credentialing (BGC).
Was this session organized by an AIHA Technical Committee, Special Interest Group, Working Group, Advisory Group or other AIHA project Team?
No
Are worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis presented?
Yes
If yes, i.e., If worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis are to be presented please describe the statistical methods and tools (e.g. IHSTAT, Expostats, IHSTAT_Bayes, IHDA-AIHA, or other statistical tool, please specify) used for analysis of the data.
ExpoStats and JMP software
How will this help advance the science of IH/OH?
This work advances the science of industrial and occupational hygiene by providing a scalable framework for harmonizing exposure data across global operations. The development of a data dictionary and cross-reference tool enables more consistent identification of work areas, tasks, and exposure determinants—laying the groundwork for informed priors and more efficient exposure characterization.
By validating the homogeneity of SEGs and emphasizing the importance of contextual information, this approach supports more targeted risk management decisions and enhances the quality of both qualitative and quantitative assessments. It empowers industrial hygienists to compare exposures across sites, reduce sampling burdens, and allocate resources more effectively.
Standardizing the documentation of tasks, controls, and process conditions not only improves current exposure evaluations but also strengthens the foundation for longitudinal analyses and epidemiological studies. Ultimately, this effort contributes to a more data-driven, globally integrated strategy for exposure science—supporting better decision-making, regulatory alignment, and health protection across the enterprise.
What level would you consider your presentation content geared towards?
Intermediate: Specific topics within a subject. The participant would have two (2) to ten (10) years experience in industrial hygiene or OEHS and a good understanding of the subject area, but not of the specific topic presented. Prerequisites required: another course, skill, or working knowledge of the general subject.
Have you presented this information before?
No
I have read and agree to these guidelines.
Yes