Biomonitoring state of the science: a report on a panel presentation and round table discussion

The paper summarizes an open panel discussion and breakout session by scientists and lay participants that focused on new approaches to identifying exposure to pesticides in humans during the New Paths: Health and Safety in Western Agriculture conference, November 11-13, 2008. Featured were reports on the available results from the Washington State Cholinesterase Monitoring Program, a statewide program for handlers of class I and II organophosphate (OP) and carbamate pesticides, identification of adducts to inhibited cholinesterase by use of protein digestion and mass spectrometry and antibody-based methods, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for pyrethroids. One presenter proposed that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should establish that pesticide registrants develop and provide diagnostic and/or biomonitoring tools to assess human exposure to their chemicals in the process of and as a requirement for pesticide registration. Finally, a follow-up breakout session focused on the new methods presented in the panel and discussion of the speaker's proposal for EPA. Breakout discussants pointed out the benefits of such a proposal but also pointed to some of its weaknesses. Several scientists suggested that a requirement that public release of analytical methods and identity of metabolites and methods for synthesizing metabolites would provide more flexibility to the academy in conducting studies of potential human exposure.