Abstract: Exposure factors are important parameters and quantitative indicators of human behaviour characteristics under various environmental exposures. The accuracy of exposure factors determines the accuracy of environmental health risk assessment results. The localization of exposure factors is one of the important development directions of environmental health risk assessment in China. In this review, the exposure factors under breathing, ingestion, and skin exposure pathways were introduced, and exposure factor handbooks in different countries were reviewed. The advantages, disadvantages and applicability of the main research methods of exposure factors were compared and analyzed. Based on the bibliometric analysis of papers on Chinese exposure factors in the past 20 years, the research and development direction of exposure factors in China was prospected. From the review, bioaccessibility is also the important exposure factors. The advantages, disadvantages and applicability of different research methods of inhalation rate, soil/dust ingestion rate, skin adhesion coefficient and the skin permeability were pointed out. The shortcomings in comprehensiveness, representativeness and timeliness of exposure factors handbook of Chinese population were pointed out and some suggestions for improvement were put forward. Bibliometric analysis shows that the number of articles published on exposure factors in China was closely related to policy orientation. 2012 and 2018 were the peak years for the publication of relevant research results. Refined exposure study during the ‘14th Five-Year Plan’ period is recommended. Fully absorbing the existing domestic research achievements to update and improve exposure factors handbook of Chinese population, strengthening exposure factors related to basic science research work, and establishing the relevant standards, rules and guidelines will provide reference for the study and application of population localization exposure factors in China.