Exposure Assessment Program

Program Goals

A key leadership role for the EXAP is the development of goals to develop or improve exposure assessment strategies and methods for protection of workers in all industrial sectors from all types of critical occupational agents and stressors. EXAP is in the process of developing goals to guide NIOSH research and partnership efforts over the next decade.

NIOSH Program Portfolio Approach

NIOSH organizes its research, guidance, information, and service efforts into specific programs that can be readily communicated and strategically governed and evaluated. Ten sector programs represent industrial sectors, and seven cross-sector programs are organized around health and safety outcomes. There are also numerous core and specialty programs that represent special emphasis areas, methodological approaches, core activities and legislatively mandated programs.

The sector programs intersect with cross-sector programs in a matrix-like fashion, with relevant core and specialty Programs playing a supporting role. For example, a Public Safety goal of reducing exposure of emergency responders to hazardous drugs such as methamphetamine or fentanyl would likely be a shared goal with the Respiratory Health Program and if appropriate would be adopted by both programs. This approach provides an added advantage and will allow multiple Programs to work towards accomplishment of intersecting NIOSH goals.

Below are the current goals developed during the second decade of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA).

EXAP Program Strategic Goals for Intramural Research

Strategic Goal 1: Develop or improve exposure assessment strategies to understand and prevent work-related illnesses and injuries

Strategic Goal 2: Develop or improve specific methods and tools to assess worker exposures to critical occupational agents and stressors.