THESIS TITLE

Minimising uncertainty and define a compliant model in human health risk assessment: a case study on lead bioavailability

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Human health risk assessment (HHRA) is a process that estimates the nature and probability of adverse health effects to humans, who may be exposed to a contaminated environmental media. HHRA is a systematic estimation process where reliable information and adequate data is necessary. However, uncertainty is inherent in every step of HHRA even with the most accurate data and best models applied. Lead in soil is of great concern as it is widespread and a persistent pollutant to humans, especially to children, infants, women of child-bearing age. Bioavailability is a cruical parameter when estimating the lead risk in soil. Both in vivo and in vitro methods are used to estimate lead bioavailability, however, there are many uncertainties in these methods. It is necessary to address uncertainty well as the correlation between in vivo and in vitro methods, and define a compliant measurement with validation to minimise uncertainty in HHRA. Both experimental and statistical methods will be used to achieve this goal in this honours project.

STUDENT PROFILE

Kaihong majored in Environmental Science and acquired his Bachelor degree of Science at Wuhan University of Technology (China).