VO: Welcome to one of ConsExpo Web's online tutorials.
This video will run you through a worked example...
showcasing the functionality of ConsExpo Web software in an exposure assessment.
The worked example is based on a scenario for an all-purpose cleaner.
The exposure to chemical X...
is assessed for both short-term peak exposure and long-term exposure.
The scenario is described as follows:
the product user sprays an amount of product on a surface.
The surface is then rinsed with a cloth.
After the cleaning has taken place, a child plays on the surface that has been cleaned.
The all-purpose cleaner can be used everywhere in the house...
but is typically used for a small surface up to about 1 m2.
From this description we establish two phases of application...
namely the spraying phase and consequently rinsing phase.
In addition, we have a post-application phase...
describing the exposure of chemical X to a child while playing.
In ConsExpo Web...
a separate assessment is required in case a different subpopulation is considered.
Thus, for the worked example we will create two assessments...
starting with the adult user of the spray.
It is important to realise that ConsExpo requires information...
on product, substance, exposed person and residential settings.
First, we consider the spraying of the all-purpose cleaner.
In case the volatility is unknown or known to be high...
the first tier spray model for volatile substances should be selected.
Here, we regard chemical X as non-volatile and select the spray model.
We use the use factsheet functionality in ConsExpo...
to select the cleaning and washing factsheet...
all purpose cleaner and finally the all purpose cleaner spray.
Then select the option for non-volatile substances.
The factsheets provide underlying information for this standard scenario.
As the assessor you have to make sure that the scenario in the fact sheet...
matches your own scenario.
The scenario description can be found in the cleaning agents fact sheet.
It is a perfect match, except for the spraying location.
Since it can be used everywhere...
we need to adapt the room volume and room ventilation...
to match the defaults for an unspecified room...
as described in the General fact sheet.
Product and substance specific information next to population information...
is to be added to complete the scenario.
When all insert fields are filled in for the inhalation exposure...
the exposure can be simulated.
Within this assessment a second scenario can be added...
in the same way as the spraying scenario was created.
Using the use factsheet button under scenario...
the scenario for rinsing can be selected and created...
with again the necessary changes as previously indicated.
The exposure assessment can be simulated...
for both scenarios simultaneously.
The exposure estimated for the dose can be summed...
to determine the exposure resulting from both spraying and wiping.
But be aware that ConsExpo does not limit the exposure estimate for mass balance.
Each scenario is calculated...
as if the product amount is independent of the other.
If a health reference value is available for chemical X...
the assessor can compare the different exposure metrics ConsExpo provided...
with the reference value to see if risks are sufficiently controlled.
The exposure assessment then continues with a new assessment...
for the child playing on the treated surface.
Again, there is a scenario available from the factsheets...
that describes the rubbing off of substance from a treated surface.
The duplicate assessment button can be pressed...
to create a duplicate that can serve as the basis for the new assessment.
First, change the assessment settings regarding the population of interest.
Then, the scenarios previously set up for the application should be removed...
and a new scenario should be created for the post-application phase.
But there is a catch.
Using the use factsheet functionality in ConsExpo...
to select the cleaning and washing factsheet, all-purpose cleaner...
and finally the all-purpose cleaner spray, one cannot find a post-application phase.
However, there is a post-application phase in the all-purpose cleaner liquid.
This makes sense.
Typically one does not use sprays for large surface areas...
but rather use a liquid cleaner.
In our situation though, we do consider a post application phase...
where a child plays on the treated surface.
To accommodate the scenario of the exposure of a playing child...
to an area treated with the spray, the assessor reassesses the treated area...
and reduces the default parameter value for contacted surface...
to, in this example, 1 m2.
Also note that the spraying takes place every day.
The frequency of the use of the liquid is much lower.
The scenario therefore needs another adjustment regarding the frequency.
Probably not all spray applications are on surfaces where a child will play.
In the example, it is assumed that this scenario follows the information...
on frequency for the cleaner liquid.
The frequency of play on a treated surface is 197 times per year.
If inhalation exposure during the spray application...
is expected for the child as well...
a separate scenario should be added as described for the adult user previously.
For now, we continue with the dermal exposure route only.
The scenario is now completed and can be run by clicking the simulate button.
Both the dermal load and dermal systemic exposure are provided.
Dependent on the type of health reference value...
possibly specific for this target population...
one can compare the appropriate dose metric with the reference value...
and see if risks are sufficiently controlled.
Using the functionality in ConsExpo under the assessments window...
one can create a report per assessment for multiple scenarios...
create graphs and so on.
Outside of ConsExpo Web...
the assessor needs to report their findings regarding the risks.
The features of ConsExpo end with the exposure assessment.
We hope this tutorial has helped you to familiarise yourself with ConsExpo Web.
Our support does not end here. On the ConsExpo website...
you can find 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 that extra help when needed.
If you still have questions or need assistance...
please contact us at: consexpo@rivm.nl.