Human biomonitoring - its importance and application for evaluating population exposure to environmental chemicals (toxins)
Abstract
Human biomonitoring is a tool that has been used more frequently in recent years to determine population exposure to environmental chemicals, to monitor time trends, to assess health risks and to confirm the efficacy of preventive measures. Biomonitoring is defined as a measurement of chemicals, their metabolites or other pathophysiological changes related to exposure (generally called biomarkers) in human body fluids and tissues of the general population.
Reference values (95% percentile of measured values) indicate the upper margin of background exposure in a given population. Health-based limit values have been defined for certain biomarkers; when these levels are exceeded there are potential health risks for the population.
In the Czech Republic, human biomonitoring has been carried out since 1994 within the framework of the Environmental Health Monitoring System. It includes the monitoring of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg) in blood, urine and hair, and persistent chlorinated organic compounds (like DDT, PCBs) in lipids of human milk or blood serum.
This article discusses the requirements for sampling body fluids and analysis of biomarkers, as well as interpretation of results. Human biomonitoring procedures in European countries will be harmonized through the COPHES project within the European Union 7th Framework Program.