Biomarkers and Human Biomonitoring

Human biomonitoring is a valuable means of monitoring the exposure levels of selected populations to harmful substances. It is used in surveillance programmes all over the world and the analytical methods involved have become more sensitive and precise. This two volume set provides an overview of the uses of biomarkers in environmental health. It covers programs from around the world and describes previous, ongoing and upcoming studies. The introduction describes the history of the subject and the challenges facing those now working in the field. Subsequent chapters cover biomarkers of exposure in a range of widely used everyday compounds such as BPA, phthalates, PCFs, BRFC and ubiquitous substances such as lead, mercury, arsenic, PAHs, and dioxins. Convincing evidence of a global decline in human exposure to lead and increasing concerns related to the adverse effects of endocrine disruptors and genotoxic compounds is provided. Human biomonitoring of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, mycotoxins, physiological stress, hormone activity, oxidative stress, and ionizing radiation, all fall within the scope of the books as do effect biomarkers of hemoglobin adducts, germ cells, micronuclei and individual susceptibility. The ethical issues related to human sampling and monitoring are also covered.