Biological monitoring values for occupational exposure: a United Kingdom perspective

Policy developments in the United Kingdom have been aimed at facilitating t he appropriate use of biological monitoring. Recent initiatives have establ ished clear criteria for the interpretation of biological monitoring result s, and new guidance that deals with the ethical and practical issues involv ed in operating an effective biological monitoring programme has been promu lgated. The United Kingdom now has a system of non-statutory biological mon itoring guidance values. There are two types, the health guidance value and the benchmark guidance value. Over a number of years, biological monitorin g programmes have shown that they help in reducing exposure by regular moni toring and demonstrating adequate control.