• What's New
  • States
  • CDC/NHANES
  • International
• Biomonitoring Basics
  • Biomonitoring in brief
  • Biomonitoring defined
  • Substances measured
  • How performed
  • What about exposure
  • What about risk
  • Future directions
• 
  Biomonitoring Equivalents
• Cord Blood Biomonitoring
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Glossary of Key Terms
• Biomonitoring Resources
  • Documents library
  • Useful web sources
  • CDC Fourth Report
  • Commentary
  • Studies
  • Press Reports
  • Government Update
• Biomonitoring Experts for Journalists
• Video: Medical Doctor's Perspective

What are the future directions of biomonitoring?

Biomonitoring of large numbers of chemicals in representative human populations is just beginning. In these early stages, the aim is to assess the current levels of natural and synthetic chemicals in human tissues and fluids and to provide the data for decision-making about future research needs. The information that is being gathered will be used mainly to: (1) establish baseline and reference levels for environmental chemicals, (2) identify chemicals for which appropriate toxicological and environmental data are lacking, and (3) refine future biomonitoring efforts.

The results of the biomonitoring studies will be used to establish background levels against which to compare future monitoring results. As more chemicals are added to the biomonitoring studies, a broader picture of the characteristics of any exposures that are occurring can be developed. In addition, the impacts of various policies on these exposures can be evaluated. Further, the background levels obtained can serve as reference values for use in identifying individuals who may be experiencing above normal exposures and who may benefit from medical intervention or treatment.

Another outcome of biomonitoring is that it may reveal the presence of compounds that are not expected and for which limited toxicological and/or environmental fate data are available. If the levels of such substances are high enough, this information is likely to lead to increased research on the properties and effects of these compounds.

The results of current biomonitoring efforts will be used to refine future studies. Such data will reveal which compounds are present at the highest levels and thus are likely targets for future studies as well as those that are not detectable or are detected at such low levels that future monitoring is unlikely to useful. These results may also identify specific segments of the population that appear to be experiencing the highest exposures and so may be appropriate targets for greater attention in the future. These further studies will not only refine our knowledge of body levels but also will address the question of which sources are the most significant contributors to the measured levels.

In summary, the results of biomonitoring can help to suggest which environmental compounds are of most importance, what the background and reference levels for these compounds are, and which segments of the population may be the most highly exposed. Each of these outcomes will lead to further study aimed at refining estimates of exposure, identifying sources, identifying population segments most highly exposed, and assessing the impacts of steps taken to reduce exposure. Thus, biomonitoring can contribute to research that alerts scientists, regulators, and the public to possible risks and also allays fears that might arise from the knowledge that large numbers of natural and synthetic chemicals are present in our bodies.