Biomonitoring and biomarkers: exposure assessment will never be the same.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Paustenbach, Dennis Galbraith, David
Copyright Year	2006
Abstract	Using modern analytical technology, it is now possible to measure almostany chemical present in our bodies. The future role of classical exposureassessment will perhaps be marginalized because biomonitoring programscan directly measure the concentration of chemicals that are presentin biologic matrices. Although the concentration of chemicals inthe environment will continue to be measured and related to exposureparameters, the prioritization of the national environmental agenda willbe dictated by biomonitoring. Recent biomonitoring studies have examinedthe levels of > 200 chemicals. Biomonitoring data, by themselves, arenot informative in helping consumers understand their individualhealth risk. A major challenge facing those who conduct biomonitoringprograms is how to best communicate the information to the public. Inthis article, we review benefits and challenges, along with selectresults from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2005 National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. We recommend that these data be carefully interpreted, with the goalof establishing baseline exposure information, rather than creating surrogatesfor conclusions about human health risk.
ISSN	00916765
Journal	Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume Number	114
PubMed Central reference number	PMC1552022
Issue Number	8
PubMed reference number	16882516
e-ISSN	15529924
DOI	10.1289/ehp.8755
Language	English
Publisher	National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Publisher Date	2006-08-01
Access Restriction	Open
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Subject Keyword	biomarker biomonitoring exposure assessment risk assessment
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health