To prepare for this class:
A. Please consider the following paper:
- Burstyn I, Teschke K. Studying the determinants of exposure: A review of methods. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 1999;60:57-72 (link to paper)
B. Consider the following questions to discuss in class:
1. What are some potential uses of determinants of exposure sampling?
2. What statistical techniques/approaches are used in determinants of exposure studies? How do they differ from statistics used in evaluating compliance and epidemiological studies?
3. Is the question of homogeneous exposure groups important for this purpose of sampling? Why or why not?
4. Is it possible to make the results of sampling useful for all three types of studies? If so, how?
5. Try to complete this grid comparing sampling strategies for compliance, epidemiology, determinants of exposure, and some other purposes. Note that there is no sampling strategy template for any of these, but comparing them will help you to see how the purpose of measurement will affect your decision making.
C. There is another method of examining determinants of exposure that may be more well known in hygiene practice than statistical modelling. It involves filming employees during their workshift, and simultaneously measuring their exposure using a direct-reading instrument, then overlaying the results of the measurements on the video. This is called Video Exposure Monitoring (VEM) or Picture Mix and Exposure (PIMEX). Here are some resources:
- Rosen G, Andersson IM, Walsh PT et al. A review of video exposure monitoring as an occupational hygiene tool. Annals of Occupational Hygiene 2005:49:210-217 (link to abstract)
- Several examples of PIMEX videos developed by the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
Please think about the advantages of such a system for pinpointing the determinants of exposure. Also consider when such a system would have difficulties in this regard.
