A major research area for the EARC was the development of approaches for the specification, collection and analysis of environmental exposure and job task data for the purpose of hazard surveillance/epidemiology and for informing risk assessment where there is exposure to multiple chemical agents. A major area of research is the development of an integrated theory, approach and methodology to exposure assessment and hazard surveillance which emphasizes characterization of exposure to multiple chemical and physical agents. The following ongoing research projects are elements of the overall approach to the development of methods for studying multiple chemical exposure:

• The application of toxicokinetic modeling to the assessment of interactive effects between hexane, ketones and aromatic compounds. Investigation of dermal absorption of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs). Research indicates dermal absorption of PAHs in a number of industries including aluminum smelting, coke ovens, creosote production and others is significantly more important than previously recognized.
• Modeling pollutant concentration between source and worker; prediction of small scale dispersion of contaminants using data collected with a high resolution three-axis sonic anemometer. The ultimate goal is to convert information collected by the anemometer into eddy diffusion coefficients, which can be used to estimate contaminant concentrations at any point within indoor environments.
• Short term non-invasive biomarkers for processes producing long term lung damage-evaluation of the feasibility of candidate measurement systems. Toxicokinetic models have been developed to determine whether breath analysis of pentane and ethane can be used to estimate chronic lung damage from toxicants.
• Optimization of the sampling of chemicals and mixtures deposited on surfaces that could be sources of human exposures. Specific collection methods have been assessed and laboratory based research work is underway to define optimization procedures for sampling.
• Adverse effects associated with multiple chemical exposures associated with rocket testing at a commercial defense test facility. This study evaluated the excess mortality of workers employed at a rocket test site over a period beginning in the 1950s. Excess lung cancer was identified in this cohort of workers and their health outcomes were possibly associated with exposure to hydrazines, nitrosamines, asbestos, trichloroethylene, and other chemicals.