What to know
- The CDC has made enhancements to improve accessibility and accuracy of its National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals.
- The latest edition includes new search functionality, allowing users to search for chemicals using Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CASRN).
- A new feature also allows users to export summary data as a text file.
- Additionally, the CDC has updated terminology for demographic categories in line with health equity principles.
Enhancements to Data Accessibility
CDC continually strives to improve accessibility and accuracy of its National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals (referred to as the Report). The latest edition of the Report includes two new features (search and export functions) and updated terminology.
New Search Functionality
Since CDC transitioned the Report to an online interface in March 2022, users have been able to search for a chemical by entering its name, chemical group, specimen type, or survey year into the search box in Step 2 of the table viewer: Biomonitoring Data Tables for Environmental Chemicals.
In this latest edition of the Report, CDC has added Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CAS RN) to the search functionality. By typing a CAS RN directly into the search bar in Step 2, users can quickly navigate to their chemical of interest.
New Feature to Export Summary Data
CDC's most recent effort to improve accessibility of its biomonitoring data is the addition of a feature that converts the contents of a data table into a text file. Text files can be read by a variety of software programs, including statistical software programs used by researchers, public health partners, and other valued end users. After navigating to their table of interest, users can now download the associated text file by clicking the "Download this table in text format" link that appears above the data table.
Updated Terminology for Demographic Categories
CDC strives to reach a variety of audiences using inclusive and appropriate language. We have updated the terminology used to describe certain demographic categories based on CDC's health equity guiding principles: Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication | Gateway to Health Communication | CDC. These minor changes to terminology do not affect demographic category definitions or the summary estimates presented in the Report's data tables.
| Previous category label | New category label |
|---|---|
| Males | Male |
| Females | Female |
| All Hispanics | All Hispanic |
| Mexican Americans | Mexican American |
| Non-Hispanic Whites | Non-Hispanic White |
| Non-Hispanic Blacks | Non-Hispanic Black |
| Asians | Non-Hispanic Asian |