Researchers continue to find new ways to “fingerprint” sources of harmful exposures. An example arising from dust from teak wood is provided in a June 2014 article. Ann Occup Hyg (2014) 58 (5):566-578.doi: 10.1093/annhyg/meu016. Titled “Chemical Markers of Occupational Exposure to Teak Wood Dust,” the article explains how the authors used chemical and constituent element analysis to match the dust to the source.
Over time, these types of “fingerprinting” techniques will change the issues in toxic tort litigation because similar techniques are being investigated and used for other substances.
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