USING BIOLOGICAL MONITORING TO ASSESS HUMAN EXPOSURE TO PRIORITY TOXICANTS

Scientifically valid exposure assessment is crucial to risk assessment , risk management, and prevention of environmental disease. Scientists have used three tools to assess exposure: exposure history/questionna ires, environmental monitoring {including personal monitoring), and bi ological monitoring. Combinations of these tools usually provide the e xposure information needed to meet objectives of human studies evaluat ing the exposure-health effect relationship. Biological monitoring is a capable exposure assessment tool that has provided important informa tion used in public health decisions. We briefly describe how risk ass essment and risk management decisions for lead, dioxin, and volatile o rganic compounds have substantially benefited from exposure informatio n obtained from biological monitoring.