Reconstructing human exposures using biomarkers and other "clues".
Yu-Mei Tan1, Jon Sobus, Daniel Chang
1U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. tan.cecilia@epa.gov
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B, Critical Reviews
|December 29, 2011
Summary
Biomonitoring uses biomarkers to assess human exposure. This review details how to reconstruct exposure levels using biomarker data, exposure information, and biological system understanding for risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health Sciences
- Toxicology
- Biomarkers and Exposure Assessment
Background:
- Biomonitoring measures biomarkers in human samples to evaluate exposures.
- Population-based biomonitoring surveys are increasing, driving interest in using this data for risk assessment.
- Biomarker detection confirms exposure but requires additional data to reconstruct external exposure levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the process of reconstructing human exposures using biomonitoring data.
- To identify essential information for accurate exposure reconstruction.
- To explore the application of modeling techniques in exposure assessment.
Main Methods:
- Examination of the process for using biomarker data and other information to reconstruct human exposures.
- Identification of key data requirements including biomarker origin, study design, and exposure scenarios.
- Presentation of exposure, pharmacokinetic, and molecular modeling approaches.
Main Results:
- Biomarker data alone is insufficient for exposure reconstruction.
- Essential information includes biomarker type, biomonitoring study design, detailed exposure information, and biological clearance mechanisms.
- Modeling techniques can aid in integrating diverse data for exposure reconstruction.
Conclusions:
- Effective human exposure reconstruction relies on integrating biomonitoring data with comprehensive exposure and biological information.
- Understanding the relationship between external exposure and biomarker concentration is crucial.
- Advanced modeling tools enhance the utility of biomonitoring data in risk assessment and management.
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