Research Recommendations

L. L. Altpeter, Jr. Research recommended to develop odorant-fade model. Pipe Line Gas Ind, 80(2) 39 0, February 1997. 

Each of the study areas summarized in the previous sections has ended with a list of research recommendations. These lists are not exhaustive, but they do contain those issues which the most experienced scientists in the field of receptor modeling believe are in need of resolution for the specific study area. 

Lee summarized the panel discussion at a meeting of the Environmental Health Sciences Advisory Council which concentrated primarily on the etiology of CWP (1). One area of research recommended by the panel was what component(s) is associated with a specific rank of coal that results in increased incidence of CWP. Warden, in discussing the medical aspects of CWP, stated that the fate of the particulates retained... 

Baseline Studies of Pollutants in the Marine Environment and Research Recommendations, 1972. 

To realize the potential of biomonitoring, investment in research is needed to address the critical knowledge gaps that hinder the ability to use biomonitoring data and interpret what they mean with respect to risks to public health. The committee s research recommendations focus not on specific chemicals but rather on methods that can be applied to a broad array of chemicals. Implementation of the research recommendations by federal and state agencies and universities will benefit from an improvement in some parts of our nation s research infrastructure. 

The current scientific infrastructure to support the committee s research recommendations is severely limited. Improvements in research-related infrastructure are needed to support these recommendations and to enhance the value of biomonitoring activities. The infrastructure needs encompass enhancing laboratory capabilities, expanding the scope and utility of CDC s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, maximizing the use of collected human samples, and fostering international biomonitoring collaboration. Many of these recommendations for infrastructure improvement are cost-effective because they rely on expansion of structures and activities that are already in place. 

The third research recommendation is to conduct empirical research on the mental models of the general population about biomonitoring, as also recommended in Chapter 6 for the purpose of communication results, interpretations, and uses. One ethical reason for this research would be to understand the population s concerns about participating in biomonitoring studies, since participation rates in some countries have been depressed to the extent that the apparent need for incentives could compromise ethics if incentives are too high. Research on biomonitoring concerns can address these issues, as well as help ensure that better informed consent will be obtained from biomonitoring study participants. 

This chapter presents the major research recommendations required to improve the use and interpretation of biomonitoring data for improving public health. Implementation of the research recommendations will require expansion of the biomonitoring infrastructure. Table 7-1 summarizes the committee s research recommendations and infrastructure needs. 

The Committee s main conclusions and recommendations are discussed in Chapters 6 and 9 and summarized in Chapter 1. Research recommendations are in Chapter 10. ttie other chapters provide background and further details. 

Cooper, D.A. 2004. Carotenoids in health and disease recent scientific evaluations, research recommendations and the consumer. J. Nutr. 134, 221S-224S. 

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