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Strengths and limitations of HBM—Not yet for Europe!
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 215 (2012) 98
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International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health journal homepage: www.elsevier.de/ijheh
Scientific comment
Strengths and limitations of HBM—Not yet for Europe! Reinhard Joas ∗ BiPRO GmbH, Munich, Germany
The potential of Human Biomonitoring (HBM) is obviously manifold and well known in the HBM community. However, still limitations arise when considering HBM on a European level. Significant efforts are made in the EU to collect biomarker data in environmental health. However, the majority of activities are fragmented and use divergent protocols and recruitment strategies. Consequently, results cannot be compared nor can health impact assessments be carried out. The European Environment and Health Strategy as well as the Environment and Health Action Plan 2004–2010 of the European Commission recognised the value of HBM and the relevance and importance of coordination of HBM programmes in Europe. Against this background, a team of experts from 27 European countries started in work towards a coherent approach to HBM in Europe. Based on existing and planned HBM projects
∗ Tel.: +49 89 18979050; fax: +49 89 18979052. E-mail address: [email protected] 1438-4639/$ – see front matter © 2011 Published by Elsevier GmbH. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2011.11.009
and programmes of work and capabilities in Europe the Seventh Framework Programme (FP 7) funded COPHES (COnsortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale) investigated what is needed to advance and improve comparability of HBM data across Europe. The developed pilot study protocol is tested in 17 European countries in the DEMOCOPHES feasibility study funded by Directorate-General for the Environment (DG ENV). The twin projects (http://www.eu-hbm.info/) aim at promoting a common understanding within all parties involved on the potential of HMB in supporting and evaluating policy making (including e.g. REACH) and in awareness raising on environmental health, and will significantly advance the process towards a fully operational, continuous, sustainable and scientifically sound EU HBM programme.
Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health journal homepage: www.elsevier.de/ijheh
Scientific comment
Strengths and limitations of HBM—Not yet for Europe! Reinhard Joas ∗ BiPRO GmbH, Munich, Germany
The potential of Human Biomonitoring (HBM) is obviously manifold and well known in the HBM community. However, still limitations arise when considering HBM on a European level. Significant efforts are made in the EU to collect biomarker data in environmental health. However, the majority of activities are fragmented and use divergent protocols and recruitment strategies. Consequently, results cannot be compared nor can health impact assessments be carried out. The European Environment and Health Strategy as well as the Environment and Health Action Plan 2004–2010 of the European Commission recognised the value of HBM and the relevance and importance of coordination of HBM programmes in Europe. Against this background, a team of experts from 27 European countries started in work towards a coherent approach to HBM in Europe. Based on existing and planned HBM projects
∗ Tel.: +49 89 18979050; fax: +49 89 18979052. E-mail address: [email protected] 1438-4639/$ – see front matter © 2011 Published by Elsevier GmbH. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2011.11.009
and programmes of work and capabilities in Europe the Seventh Framework Programme (FP 7) funded COPHES (COnsortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale) investigated what is needed to advance and improve comparability of HBM data across Europe. The developed pilot study protocol is tested in 17 European countries in the DEMOCOPHES feasibility study funded by Directorate-General for the Environment (DG ENV). The twin projects (http://www.eu-hbm.info/) aim at promoting a common understanding within all parties involved on the potential of HMB in supporting and evaluating policy making (including e.g. REACH) and in awareness raising on environmental health, and will significantly advance the process towards a fully operational, continuous, sustainable and scientifically sound EU HBM programme.