Human Biomonitoring of Environmental Chemicals Biomonitoring
involves the measurement of absorbed substances or their
metabolites in human tissues and body fluids. This information
is used to improve decision making by providing a measure of
people’s actual exposure to toxic chemical substances,
identifying which groups of people are at greater risks of
exposure, evaluating success of preventive actions, and
improving the emergency response of public health officials.
Biomonitoring data can be used directly by communities to
identify potential exposures to chemicals that threaten their
locale. Due to the acquisition of specialized instrumentation
required to conduct chemical terrorism sample analysis, the
MSPHL now has the capability to conduct biomonitoring studies to
provide the critical information necessary to help link exposure
to a toxic substance and the development of disease in
communities across the state. The MSPHL is working with the
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ Bureau of Env