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UEAF consolidates five exposure assessment frameworks into one stepwise structure for practitionersNew Unified Framework Streamlines Environmental Health Risk Assessments
Frontiers in MedicinePublished October 7, 2026Study authors: Melanie D. Nembhard, Corey L. Boles, Shannon H. Gaffney, Jason T. Lotter, Joshua R. Maskrey, Jennife…DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Sofia Müller, MD · Lifespan & Whole-Person Care
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Key Takeaway
Consider the UEAF as a proposed structure for consistent exposure assessment, not a clinical intervention.
This publication is a guideline that proposes a Unified Exposure Assessment Framework (UEAF) for human health risk assessment. The framework was developed by aligning elements from five comprehensive frameworks from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, and peer-reviewed scientific literature. The setting is the United States.
The primary outcome was the development of a unified framework for exposure assessment practitioners. The result is a single consolidated, broadly applicable framework. Secondary outcomes include a consolidated crosswalk and a proposed stepwise structure. No effect size, absolute numbers, p-values, or confidence intervals were reported.
No study population, sample size, comparator, or follow-up duration was reported. Safety data, including adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability, were not reported. Limitations were not reported, and funding or conflicts of interest were not reported.
The practice relevance is that the framework provides occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) and exposure science practitioners with a consolidated crosswalk and proposed stepwise structure to support more consistent consideration of key exposure assessment elements. The framework is a proposed structure for practitioners, not a clinical intervention. Certainty and causality notes were not reported.
Experts in occupational and environmental health and safety have developed a new tool called the Unified Exposure Assessment Framework (UEAF). This framework was created by combining elements from five different existing systems, including guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.
The goal of this new framework is to provide a consistent way for professionals to evaluate how humans are exposed to various risks. It includes a consolidated crosswalk and a stepwise structure to help practitioners stay consistent when looking at key elements of exposure science.
It is important to note that this is a tool for professionals and not a clinical treatment for patients. It is designed to help safety experts work more consistently. If you have concerns about your personal exposure to environmental hazards, you should speak with a healthcare provider or an occupational health specialist.
What this means for you:
The new UEAF framework helps safety professionals more consistently assess environmental health risks.
Common questions
What is the Unified Exposure Assessment Framework?
The Unified Exposure Assessment Framework (UEAF) is a single, consolidated framework for assessing human health risks. It was created by aligning elements from five different systems, including those from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Industrial Hygiene Association, to help experts stay consistent.
Who is this new framework intended for?
This framework is designed for occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) and exposure science practitioners. It provides them with a consolidated crosswalk and a stepwise structure to help them consider key exposure elements more consistently during their assessments.
Study Details
Study typeGuideline
EvidenceLevel 5
PublishedSep 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
The process of conducting a human health exposure assessment has been framed as a stepwise approach by multiple organizations and various authors. However, the recommended steps within these frameworks can vary depending on the organization or author referenced, and it is valuable to have a cohesive analysis of this important topic. The aim of this review was to systematically analyze and compile relevant exposure assessment frameworks in the United States (U.S.) and condense the differing recommended steps to create one consolidated, broadly applicable framework. A review of exposure assessment frameworks identified from U.S. governmental agencies, U.S. consensus guidance organizations, peer-reviewed scientific articles, and book chapters was performed. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied such that only comprehensive exposure assessment frameworks were included in the consolidation process. Five comprehensive exposure assessment frameworks from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, and the peer-reviewed scientific literature were determined to be appropriate for consolidation into the single framework. The steps identified within each existing approach were aligned to ensure all elements were incorporated into the creation of the final overarching framework, hereinafter referred to as the Unified Exposure Assessment Framework (UEAF) for human health risk assessment. The UEAF includes all essential elements of the identified published frameworks and further captures nuances within each source to allow practitioners to have one comprehensive process to reference when preparing to conduct an exposure assessment. Additional frameworks with specific nuances, or those identified as critical resources in the field, were also assessed and discussed. Through this effort, occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) and exposure science practitioners are provided with a consolidated crosswalk and proposed stepwise structure that may support more consistent consideration of key exposure assessment elements across U.S.-based occupational and environmental contexts.
