VOICE-OVER: Welcome to one of ConsExpo Web's online tutorials.
This video will give you insight into how to create exposure scenarios...
and how they are incorporated into the ConsExpo Web software.
Background information on default values used in generic exposure scenarios...
and references to underlying sources...
are available in the published ConsExpo fact sheets.
An exposure assessment starts with the creation of an exposure scenario.
The exposure scenario describes the consumer's use of the product...
containing the substance of interest in a particular residential setting.
In short, the four elements considered in an exposure scenario are:
the product...
the substance...
the consumer or population...
and the residential setting.
To create the exposure scenario...
you will need to enter information about these four elements.
Typical variables to consider within the exposure scenario...
relate to questions such as the following.
The typical consumer: is it an adult or a child?
Where is the product being used?
How much of the product is needed?
For how long is the consumer using it?
How much of the substance is released?
Is it a very volatile substance?
Will the exposure scenario lead to dermal, oral or inhalation exposure?
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As the number of consumer products and the ways in which they are used varies...
information may not be readily available.
Moreover, it is important in regulatory assessments...
that exposure assessments are performed in a harmonised and standardised way.
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ConsExpo fact sheets provide just that.
They are an important part of the ConsExpo project...
and fact sheet data are an integral part of the ConsExpo software.
Users can access the fact sheet data...
through a database within ConsExpo Web, shown later on in the video.
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As of 2022, there are eight fact sheets.
There is one fact sheet, the general fact sheet...
dedicated to providing information on residential settings...
population data and so-called anthropometric data.
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The general fact sheet provides default information on room volumes...
room heights, ventilation rates, body weights and skin surface areas.
It provides data that is typical for the Dutch or European environment...
but covers information from other parts of the world as well.
The other fact sheets are based on product categories such as paints...
cleaning agents, cosmetics, DIY products and pest control products.
These product fact sheets were created following extensive literature research...
and consultations with the industry...
and were also based on product use information.
The product categories are subdivided into product groups and subtypes.
For example, the DIY fact sheet contains a group called 'glues and adhesives'...
which in turn includes hobby glues, spray glues, et cetera.
Exposure scenarios are created at the product level...
and are defined by their exposure characteristics.
The product fact sheets...
connect the exposure scenarios for the relevant products...
to the information required by the ConsExpo Web software.
To do so, the fact sheets describe the scenario...
and provide suggestions for the exposure models to use.
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Furthermore, they provide recommended default inputs...
for the requested exposure scenario.
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Users still need to check if the input is appropriate for their own assessment...
and provide specific product and substance information...
such as the weight fraction of a substance.
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A quality factor is assigned to the input parameters...
to indicate the quality of the information.
This 'Q factor' indicates how many underlying data...
support the parameter value...
and its appropriateness in the exposure scenario.
The Q factor aids the user in assessing...
whether the parameter value may be too uncertain...
and whether they should perhaps look up more suitable information.
Users can consult the database by selecting 'Use fact sheets'...
at the assessment level or scenario level.
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For example, if a user selects the product group...
'DIY products', 'Glues', 'Hobby glues' for the usage phase...
the database shows a screen describing the input parameters...
for that particular scenario.
The user can then decide to save this scenario...
and complete the exposure assessment...
that is enter the remaining information required before simulating the assessment.
The fact sheets and ConsExpo Web software...
are recommended as a basis for exposure assessments...
within the context of the REACH regulation and the Biocidal Products Regulation.
Please note that users are ultimately responsible for the parameter values...
used in the exposure assessment.
After accepting the default suggestions in the database for the scenario...
users can make changes to these default inputs at their discretion.
We hope this tutorial has helped you to familiarise yourself with ConsExpo Web...
and its fact sheets.
Our support does not end here.
Visit the ConsExpo website for help pages...
that provide information on ConsExpo Web and a user manual.
You can also access the 'i' and '?' icons within the software...
which are there to give you extra help when needed.
If you still have questions or need assistance...
please contact us at consexpo@rivm.nl.