1
Exposure has been defined in various ways in the past.  For example, and
Institute of Medicine report (IOM, 1994) defines exposure as "the
concentration of an agent in the environment in close proximity to a study
subject."

Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures (2000), Institute of
Medicine.


2
The presence of some biological agents in cabin air, primarily airbome
allergens, has also raised questions.  Exposures to allergens (e.g., cat
dander) have been reported to cause health effects, but have not been
definitively documented in aircraft.  Transmission of infectious agents from
person to person has been documented to occur in aircraft, but the most
important transmission factors appear to be high occupant density and the
proximity of passengers.  Transmission does not appear to be facilitated by
aircraft ventilation systems.

The Airliner Cabin Environment and the Health of Passengers and Crew (2002),
Board on Environmental  Studies and Toxicology.


3
To answer specific questions about cabin air quality, a research program
should be established.  The committee considers the following research
question to be of high priority: [...] - Outside-air ventilation. Does the
ECS provide sufficient quantity and distribution of outside air to meet the
FAA regulatory requirements (FAR 25.831), and to what extent is cabin
ventilation associated with complaints from passengers and cabin crew? Can
it be verified that infectious-disease agents are transmitted primarily
between people in close proximity?  Does recirculation of cabin air increase
cabin occupants' risk of exposure?

The Airliner Cabin Environment and the Health of Passengers and Crew, Board
on Environmental Studies and Toxicology.


4
The necessity of contact or proximity to the target is another
distinguishing feature of mines. APL are directly activated by contact,
typically the pull of a trip wire. In AT mines, the magnetic field generated
by an armored vehicle influence. Acoustic signatures can also arm firing
circuits. Infrared can be used to detect the presence of a target within the
mine's range and fire the main charge.  Antihandling devices can be
incorporated to preclude easy removal or neutralization.

Alternative Technologies to Replace Antipersonnel Landmines (2001),
Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems.


5
One of the key differences between traditional supply chains and highly
integrated supply chains is the degree of proximity between members and the
resulting differences in the efficiency of joint operations. Geographic and
cultural proximity traditionally provided business advantages for SMEs, many
of whom served only local customers and had to compete only against other
local suppliers.  Globalization, electronic communications, and modern
shipping capabilities now enable suppliers from all over the world to
compete for local business. Large suppliers can typically afford proximity
capabilities that SMEs cannot, including plant sited near their customers
and skills in dealing with different cultures. To remain competitive, SMEs
may have to improve their organizational, cultural and geographic proximity
to serve an increasingly widespread customer base.
     Organizational proximity can take several forms including membership in
joint project teams or the placement of employees in one another's
faculties. Cultural proximity, which typically evolves over time, can be
achieved through the adoption of common business practices, jargon, ethical
standards, and language. Cultural proximity is especially important for
doing business with customers from different countries and cultures. The
dividends of cultural proximity can include repeat business, loyalty, and
assistance in problem solving during times of crisis.
    Geographic proximity may involve locating supplier facilities adjacent
to OEM operations.  For example, long-term relations between beverage
producers and container manufacturers led container suppliers to locate
their fabrication plants adjacent to breweries. Cans are drawn, finished,
and moved on conveyors through a common wall into the brewery where they are
filled, sealed, packed, and shipped, all without human contact.
   Proximity in an international supply chain can require investments in
metric dimensioning, compliance with international standards, and
participation in international trade fairs, such as the one held annually in
Hanover, Germany. Partnerships with foreign companies can be used by SMEs to
obtain cost-effective access to foreign markets and sources of supply. 

Surviving Supply Chain Integration: Strategies for Small Manufactures
(2000), Commission on Engineering and Technical System


6
Because Internet technologies and modern transportation capabilities enable
suppliers from low-wage areas to compete effectively with U.S. small and
medium -sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs), pressure on SMEs to improve
their cultural, organizational, and geographic proximity to their customers
and suppliers has increased.  Even SMEs with limited resources can respond
to some of these challenges at low cost through increased cultural education
and use of the Internet and Worldwide Web.

Surviving Supply Chain Integration: Strategies for Small Manufactures
(2000), Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems

"Proximity" Passages		CVA Think-Aloud Protocols