Steps
Step 1
Environmental Pollutant Selection and Exposure Assessment Design
The core task of this step is to select environmental pollutants for study and design a scientific exposure assessment plan. Choose pollutants with significant public health importance from numerous environmental pollutants.
• Select study pollutants: choose from air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, VOCs), water pollutants (heavy metals, organic compounds, microbes), soil pollutants, noise, etc.
• Determine exposure routes and populations: analyze environmental media (air, water, soil, food) and exposure pathways (respiratory, digestive, skin contact); define target population (general, occupational, sensitive groups like children/pregnant women)
• Design exposure assessment plan: select exposure assessment methods (environmental monitoring, personal sampling, biomonitoring, questionnaire survey, spatial analysis/GIS); determine monitoring sites, frequency, indicators, and sample size
Deliverable: Environmental epidemiology research design proposal (pollutant selection rationale, exposure pathway analysis, exposure assessment methods, monitoring plan) | Quality standard: Public health-relevant pollutant selection, scientific and reasonable exposure assessment methods, detailed and feasible monitoring plan
Step 2
Environmental Exposure Data Collection and Processing
The core task of this step is to systematically collect environmental pollutant data and human exposure data, perform data processing and quality control. Use professional environmental monitoring equipment and biomonitoring methods.
• Environmental monitoring: use air samplers (medium/high flow), personal sampling pumps for air pollutants; use water quality auto-monitors or lab analysis (ICP-MS, GC-MS) for water pollutants; record monitoring time, location, meteorological conditions
• Biomonitoring: collect human biological samples (blood, urine, hair, breast milk); detect internal exposure dose (blood lead, urine cadmium, exhaled NO, serum metabolites); use techniques like liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
• Data processing and QC: calibrate monitoring data, background correction, detection limit processing; calculate time-weighted average (TWA); assess data completeness (valid rate ≥90%); perform internal lab QC and external quality assessment
Deliverable: Environmental exposure dataset (environmental monitoring data, biomonitoring data, data processing report, quality control report) | Quality standard: Standard monitoring methods, accurate and reliable data, comprehensive quality control, high data completeness
Step 3
Health Effect Data Collection and Health Outcome Assessment
The core task of this step is to collect population health effect data and assess health impacts of environmental pollutant exposure. Select sensitive health effect endpoint indicators and use objective assessment methods.
• Health outcome selection: choose pollutant-relevant health outcomes—acute effects (respiratory symptoms, lung function decline, cardiovascular events), chronic effects (chronic disease incidence/mortality, cancer, birth defects), subclinical effects (biomarkers, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress indicators)
• Health data collection: collect health data through medical records, disease surveillance systems, health checkup data, questionnaire surveys (symptoms/disease history), physical examinations and lab tests (pulmonary function test, blood pressure measurement, blood biochemistry)
• Health outcome assessment: use standardized diagnostic criteria to define cases; calculate frequency indicators (incidence, prevalence, mortality); assess temporal patterns and population distribution characteristics of health effects
Deliverable: Health effect dataset (health outcome data, biomarker data, health assessment report) | Quality standard: Clear health outcome definition, reliable data sources, standard assessment methods, sufficient diagnostic evidence
Step 4
Exposure-Response Relationship Analysis and Health Risk Assessment
The core task of this step is to analyze the exposure-response relationship between environmental exposure and health effects, and perform quantitative health risk assessment. Exposure-response relationship is the core content of environmental epidemiology.
• Exposure-response relationship analysis: use regression models (linear, logistic, Cox) to analyze relationship between exposure dose and health effects; estimate health risk per unit exposure increment (e.g., percent increase in cardiovascular disease risk per 10μg/m³ PM2.5 increase)
• Health risk assessment: perform quantitative health risk assessment following four-step risk assessment (hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, risk characterization); calculate attributable risk (AR) and population attributable risk percent (PAR%); use life table method to calculate DALY
• Model building and prediction: build time series models (generalized additive model GAM), spatial regression models, CGE models; predict health impacts under different pollution levels; draw risk maps; identify high-risk areas and populations
Deliverable: Exposure-response relationship and health risk assessment report (exposure-response curves, quantitative risk estimates, risk maps, uncertainty analysis) | Quality standard: Correct exposure-response analysis methods, standard risk assessment, reliable quantitative results, comprehensive uncertainty analysis
Step 5
Environmental Epidemiology Research Report and Policy Recommendations
The core task of this step is to write an environmental epidemiology research report and propose evidence-based policy recommendations. Systematically summarize research findings, assess health hazards of environmental pollutants.
• Write research report: compose complete report following environmental epidemiology research standards, including background, objectives, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, recommendations; systematically summarize exposure levels, health effects, exposure-response relationships
• Policy recommendation development: propose environmental management policy recommendations based on research results (environmental quality standard revision, emission control measures, health protection guidelines); propose differentiated protection measures for different populations (general, sensitive); assess cost-effectiveness of interventions
• Science communication and health promotion: create popular science materials and health guidelines; educate public on environmental health knowledge; propose personal protection recommendations (e.g., AQI release and protection guidelines); improve public environmental health literacy
Deliverable: Environmental epidemiology research report, policy recommendation report, health popular science materials | Quality standard: Scientific and rigorous research report, targeted and actionable policy recommendations, accessible popular science materials