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BIOMONITORING OF EXPOSURE IN FARMWORKER STUDIES
Citation:
BARR, D., K. W. THOMAS, B. CURWIN, D. LANDSITTEL, J. H. RAYMER, C. LU, K. C. DONNELLY, AND J. ACQUAVELLA. BIOMONITORING OF EXPOSURE IN FARMWORKER STUDIES. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, NC, 114(6):936-942, (2006).
Impact/Purpose:
Objectives for this task include the following:
o Investigate the current research on biomarkers of exposure for humans (ILSI documents).
o Develop better measurement methods and procedures for collecting biomarkers of exposure in human research studies.
o Conduct advanced statistical analyses on existing urinary biomarker data generated from EPA funded studies.
o Identify and provide valuable data inputs for modelers in their toxicokinetic and exposure models.
o Use modeling tools to understand the exposures of humans to chemicals related to biomarkers of exposure.
o Form a collaborative partnership with CDC to develop analytical methods for chemicals used as biomarkers of exposure in humans.
o Develop statistical methods and models to assess human exposures to chemicals of concern.
Description:
Though biomonitoring has been used in many occupational and environmental health and exposure studies, we are only beginning to understand the complexities and uncertainties involved with the biomonitoring process -- from study design, to sample collection, to chemical analysis -- and with interpreting the resulting data. We present an overview of concepts that should be considered when using biomonitoring or biomonitoring data, assess the current status of biomonitoring, and detail potential advancements in the field which may improve our ability to both collect and interpret biomonitoring data. We discuss issues such as the appropriateness of biomonitoring for a given study, the sampling timeframe, temporal variability in biological measurements to nonpersistent chemicals, and the complex issues surrounding data interpretation. In addition, we provide recommendations to improve the utility of biomonitoring in farmworker studies. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although this work was reviewed by the U.S. EPA and approved for publication, it may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy.