Quantitative
microbial risk assessment (QMRA) has now been in use
for over 35 years and has formed the basis for developing criteria
for ensuring public health related to water, food, and remediation,
to name a few areas. The initial data for QMRA (both in exposure assessment
and in dose response assessment) came from measurements using assays
for viability, such as plate counts, plaque assays, or animal infectivity.
With the increasing use of molecular methods for the measurement of
microorganisms in the environment, it has become important to assess
how to use such data to estimate infectious disease risks. The limitations
to the use of such data and needs to resolve the limitations will
be addressed.