In human biomonitoring (HBM), exposure to chemical substances in the human body through the analysis of, for example, blood or urine samples. HBM is a central information and control tool for health-related environmental protection. The data can serve as an early warning system for previously unrecognized exposures. Risk assessment is required to determine whether the detection of a substance is associated with a health risk. HBM also provides scientifically sound data on whether bans or restrictions on certain substances actually lead to a reduction in exposure in the population.
Human biomonitoring
The HBM Commission of the German Environment Agency
Sample container in biolab.
The Human Biomonitoring Commission is based at the German Environment Agency and consists of scientists, experts from federal/state authorities, universities, hygiene institutes and clinics. The commission is appointed for three years and is supplemented by permanent guests and topic-related experts.
Human biomonitoring (HBM) is generally defined as the examination of human biological material for foreign substances or their degradation products (metabolites). According to the definition of the Human Biomonitoring Commission, this is divided into exposure monitoring and effect monitoring (see: Facts). All HBM methods are characterized by the examination of biological sample materials detached from the test person.
The prerequisites for HBM include a well-founded chemical-analytical basis and standards for sampling and testing. The HBM Commission has developed guidelines for this, which also include the derivation of guideline values (reference and HBM values).
Principle papers and information on substances that have already been addressed can be found on the website of the HBM Commission.