Statistical Methodology for Industrial Hygiene: Detection Limits, Reference Limit

University Of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore MD

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The major goal of the proposed research is the development of accurate statistical methodologies for analyzing industrial hygiene data in the presence of non-detects. Statistical procedures will be developed in a comprehensive manner for a variety of practical scenarios: univariate and bivariate normal and lognormal distributions, random e(R)ects models, and regression models. The emphasis of the proposed research is to come up with accurate pro- cedures for exposure data analysis, applicable regardless of the sample size. The problems to be addressed include the interval estimation of the arithmetic and geometric means of lognormal distributions, and of the di(R)erence and ratios of two lognormal means, the com- putation of tolerance intervals (intervals that are expected to contain a certain proportion of the exposure measurements), and the computation of upper tolerance limits. Sample size de- termination will also be addressed when detection limits are present a problem that has not been addressed so far in the statistics literature, or in the industrial hygiene literature. All of these will be accomplished using novel methodologies that have recently become available in the statistics literature: methodologies based on the concepts of generalized con/dence intervals and generalized p-values, and modi/ed likelihood ratio procedures. A second goal of the proposed research is the development of reference limits that are suitable for making decisions concerning acceptable exposure levels in occupational health. A /nil goal is the investigation of accuracy criteria for the quanti/cation of the measurement accuracy of industrial hygiene data. In order to facilitate the easy application of the methodologies that will be developed, computational algorithms and software codes will be provided. The proposed work will be carried out in collaboration with an industrial hygienist. Further- more, the proposed research will be disseminated among the industrial hygiene community through professional development courses, webinars, professional publications and conference presentations. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed research aims to develop a comprehensive set of statistical methodologies for analyzing industrial hygiene data when samples include values below a detection limit. Reference limits will be developed, suitable for making decisions concerning acceptable exposure levels in occupational health. Finally, accuracy criteria will be investigated for the quanti/cation of the measurement accuracy of industrial hygiene data.