Chemical Exposures - Prevention Summary Table
Only one measure per topic is displayed in the summary table. A complete set of measures, where they exist, can be found by following the More Information link in the table below.
![]() |
green - headed in the right direction |
![]() |
red - headed in the wrong direction |
![]() |
black - stable or non-significant change (NSC) |
![]() |
purple - indeterminate |
![]() |
blue - Healthy People 2020 target |
Measure Name | Radon |
---|---|
Year Range | 2003-2013 |
Measure |
The proportion of homes with an operating radon mitigation system for persons living in homes at risk for radon exposure. This measure is expressed as a percentage. It is calculated for each year by dividing the cumulative number of single family dwellings (SFD) with an operating mitigation system by the number of SFDs estimated to have a radon level ≥4pCi/L, which is EPA’s action level. |
Recent Summary Trend | Rising |
Recent Summary Trend Year Range | 2009-2013 |
Desired Direction | Rising |
Summary Graph |
![]() |
Trends and Most Recent Estimates | In 2013, 15.0% homes at risk for radon exposure had an operating radon mitigation system. |
Healthy People 2020 Target | Increase the percent of at-risk homes with an operating radon mitigation system to 30.0%. |
More Information | Radon |
Measure Name | Arsenic |
---|---|
Year Range | 2003-2016 |
Measure |
We present exposure data on the 95th percentile of the population, representing people with the greatest exposure. The 95th percentile level means that 95% of the population has concentrations below that level. Public health officials use such reference values to determine whether groups of people are experiencing an exposure that is unusual compared with an exposure experienced by the rest of the population. [Citation] |
Recent Summary Trend | Non-Significant Change |
Recent Summary Trend Year Range | 2011-2016 |
Desired Direction | Falling |
Summary Graph |
![]() |
Trends and Most Recent Estimates | In 2015 to 2016, the 95th percentile for urinary (creatinine corrected) concentration of arsenic among persons aged 6 years and older was 45.8 µg/g of creatinine. |
Healthy People 2020 Target | Reduce exposure to arsenic in the population, as measured by blood and urine concentrations of the substance or its metabolites, to 35.28 µg/g of creatinine. |
More Information | Arsenic |
Measure Name | Cadmium |
---|---|
Year Range | 1999-2016 |
Measure |
We present exposure data on the 95th percentile of the population, representing people with the greatest exposure. The 95th percentile level means that 95% of the population has concentrations below that level. Public health officials use such reference values to determine whether groups of people are experiencing an exposure that is unusual compared with an exposure experienced by the rest of the population. [Citation] |
Recent Summary Trend | Falling |
Recent Summary Trend Year Range | 2011-2016 |
Desired Direction | Falling |
Summary Graph |
![]() |
Trends and Most Recent Estimates | In 2015 to 2016, the 95th percentile for blood concentration of cadmium among persons aged 1 year and older was 1.2 µg/L. |
Healthy People 2020 Target | Reduce exposure to cadmium in the population, as measured by blood and urine concentrations of the substance or its metabolites, to 1.12 µg/L. |
More Information | Cadmium |
Measure Name | Nitrate |
---|---|
Year Range | 2001-2014 |
Measure |
We present exposure data on the 95th percentile of the population, representing people with the greatest exposure. The 95th percentile level means that 95% of the population has concentrations below that level. Public health officials use such reference values to determine whether groups of people are experiencing an exposure that is unusual compared with an exposure experienced by the rest of the population. [Citation] |
Recent Summary Trend | Non-Significant Change |
Recent Summary Trend Year Range | 2009-2014 |
Desired Direction | Falling |
Summary Graph |
![]() |
Trends and Most Recent Estimates | In 2013 to 2014, the 95th percentile for urinary (creatinine corrected) concentration of nitrate among persons aged 6 years and older was 123.3 mg/g of creatinine. |
Healthy People 2020 Target | There is no Healthy People 2020 target for nitrate exposure. |
More Information | Nitrate |
Measure Name | Benzene |
---|---|
Year Range | 2001-2016 |
Measure |
We present exposure data on the 95th percentile of the population, representing people with the greatest exposure. The 95th percentile level means that 95% of the population has concentrations below that level. Public health officials use such reference values to determine whether groups of people are experiencing an exposure that is unusual compared with an exposure experienced by the rest of the population. |
Recent Summary Trend | Non-Significant Change |
Recent Summary Trend Year Range | 2011-2016 |
Desired Direction | Falling |
Summary Graph |
![]() |
Trends and Most Recent Estimates | In 2015 to 2016, the 95th percentile for blood concentration of benzene among persons aged 20 years and older was 0.3 ng/mL. |
Healthy People 2020 Target | There is no Healthy People 2020 target for benzene exposure. |
More Information | Benzene |
Measure Name | Arsenic | Benzene | Cadmium | Nitrate | Radon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year Range | 2003-2016 | 2001-2016 | 1999-2016 | 2001-2014 | 2003-2013 |
Measure |
We present exposure data on the 95th percentile of the population, representing people with the greatest exposure. The 95th percentile level means that 95% of the population has concentrations below that level. Public health officials use such reference values to determine whether groups of people are experiencing an exposure that is unusual compared with an exposure experienced by the rest of the population. [Citation] |
We present exposure data on the 95th percentile of the population, representing people with the greatest exposure. The 95th percentile level means that 95% of the population has concentrations below that level. Public health officials use such reference values to determine whether groups of people are experiencing an exposure that is unusual compared with an exposure experienced by the rest of the population. |
We present exposure data on the 95th percentile of the population, representing people with the greatest exposure. The 95th percentile level means that 95% of the population has concentrations below that level. Public health officials use such reference values to determine whether groups of people are experiencing an exposure that is unusual compared with an exposure experienced by the rest of the population. [Citation] |
We present exposure data on the 95th percentile of the population, representing people with the greatest exposure. The 95th percentile level means that 95% of the population has concentrations below that level. Public health officials use such reference values to determine whether groups of people are experiencing an exposure that is unusual compared with an exposure experienced by the rest of the population. [Citation] |
The proportion of homes with an operating radon mitigation system for persons living in homes at risk for radon exposure. This measure is expressed as a percentage. It is calculated for each year by dividing the cumulative number of single family dwellings (SFD) with an operating mitigation system by the number of SFDs estimated to have a radon level ≥4pCi/L, which is EPA’s action level. |
Recent Summary Trend | Non-Significant Change | Non-Significant Change | Falling | Non-Significant Change | Rising |
Recent Summary Trend Year Range | 2011-2016 | 2011-2016 | 2011-2016 | 2009-2014 | 2009-2013 |
Desired Direction | Falling | Falling | Falling | Falling | Rising |
Summary Graph |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Trends and Most Recent Estimates | In 2015 to 2016, the 95th percentile for urinary (creatinine corrected) concentration of arsenic among persons aged 6 years and older was 45.8 µg/g of creatinine. | In 2015 to 2016, the 95th percentile for blood concentration of benzene among persons aged 20 years and older was 0.3 ng/mL. | In 2015 to 2016, the 95th percentile for blood concentration of cadmium among persons aged 1 year and older was 1.2 µg/L. | In 2013 to 2014, the 95th percentile for urinary (creatinine corrected) concentration of nitrate among persons aged 6 years and older was 123.3 mg/g of creatinine. | In 2013, 15.0% homes at risk for radon exposure had an operating radon mitigation system. |
Healthy People 2020 Target | Reduce exposure to arsenic in the population, as measured by blood and urine concentrations of the substance or its metabolites, to 35.28 µg/g of creatinine. | There is no Healthy People 2020 target for benzene exposure. | Reduce exposure to cadmium in the population, as measured by blood and urine concentrations of the substance or its metabolites, to 1.12 µg/L. | There is no Healthy People 2020 target for nitrate exposure. | Increase the percent of at-risk homes with an operating radon mitigation system to 30.0%. |
More Information | Arsenic | Benzene | Cadmium | Nitrate | Radon |
Last Updated | March 2020 | March 2020 | March 2020 | March 2020 | March 2020 |