According to WHO, a significant challenge exists with monitoring and assessing individual and population level exposure and risk to environmental chemicals associated with how to consider age and life-stage related changes in behavior and physiology. Age and life-stage related differences will determine the critical windows of susceptibility as well as the appropriate distribution of exposure factors required to address specific exposure scenarios. Age and life-stage differences in how individuals interact with the environmental may be a major determinant for identifying those most vulnerable to risks from particular exposures to environmental contaminants.
WHO, through its International Program on Chemical Safety, has developed guidance on these issues and specifically how to systematically identify critical life stages for use in exposure and risk assessment. The draft guidance, Identifying Important Life Stages for Monitoring and Assessing Risks from Exposure to Environmental Contaminants, was prepared by a group of experts convened by WHO. WHO is accepting comments on this draft guidance through January 31, 2012.
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.