Human biomonitoring in the Czech Republic: an overview

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• The Czech Human Biomonitoring Project (CZ-HBM) has been part of the Environmental Health Monitoring System (EHMS) since 1994.
• The project has monitored environmental exposures in adults, children, and breastfeeding mothers across two distinct periods (1994-2003 and 2005-2009).

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the CZ-HBM's design and analyze temporal trends and reference values for key environmental biomarkers.
• To assess exposure levels to heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and cytogenetic changes in the Czech population.

Main Methods:

• Biomonitoring of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg) and essential elements (Cu, Se, Zn) in blood and urine.
• Analysis of indicator PCBs, organochlorine pesticides (DDT, DDE, HCB, HCHs) in human milk and blood serum.
• Evaluation of cytogenetic damage in peripheral lymphocytes.

Main Results:

• A significant decreasing trend in blood lead levels was observed in both adults and children.
• Czech children exhibited higher urinary cadmium levels compared to German children; women had higher mercury levels than men.
• Persistent organic pollutant levels in human milk remained high, indicating localized contamination hotspots, while organochlorine pesticides showed a marked decline.

Conclusions:

• The CZ-HBM provides crucial data on population exposure to environmental contaminants.
• While lead exposure has decreased, specific concerns remain regarding cadmium in children and persistent organic pollutants.
• Long-term monitoring is essential for understanding and mitigating environmental health risks.