THE USE OF MAMMALS AS SENTINELS FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE TO TOXIC CONTAMINANTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

The use of sentinel species shows the potential to bridge the gap betw een animal-based and human-based environmental health research. With r egard to the assessment of environmental contamination, the use of the terms ''indicator,'' ''monitor,'' and ''sentinel'' has often been con fusing and ambiguous. A set of definitions is proposed as a standard t o rectify this situation. The advantages of the use of sentinel specie s are provided, as well as criteria for sentinel selection, based on s pecies characteristics. The recent use of mammals as sentinels for hum an exposure to toxic environmental contaminants is reviewed. A tabulat ed review of mammals proposed as indicators or monitors is included, a s these may act as a database for the selection of sentinel species fo r future research efforts. The complexity and subtlety of factors inte racting between an organism and its environment make it imperative tha t one provide a focused definition of what one wants the sentinel to a ssess and for what particular aspect of human health. Some examples of how sentinels might be selected for particular research questions are provided. While the potential for sentinel use in the field of enviro nmental health is enormous, future investigators need to choose sentin els carefully, based on well-defined research questions, and confine c onclusions drawn to the particular problem the sentinel was chosen to assess.