J 2023

Application of human biomonitoring data to support policy development, raise awareness and environmental public health protection among countries within the HBM4EU project

UBONG, Dorothy, Lorraine STEWART, Ovnair SEPAI, Lisbeth E KNUDSEN, Tamar BERMAN et. al.

Basic information

Original name

Application of human biomonitoring data to support policy development, raise awareness and environmental public health protection among countries within the HBM4EU project

Authors

UBONG, Dorothy, Lorraine STEWART, Ovnair SEPAI, Lisbeth E KNUDSEN, Tamar BERMAN, Hans REYNDERS, Van Campenhout KAREN, Andromachi KATSONOURI, Van Nieuwenhuyse AN, Anna Maria INGELIDO, Argelia CASTANO, Susana PEDRAZA-DIAZ, Asa Valgerour EIRIKSDOTTIR, Cathrine THOMSENJ, Christina HARTMANN, Dragan GJORGJEV, De Felip ELENA, Hanna TOLONEN, Tiina SANTONEN, Jana KLÁNOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Karin NORSTROM, Lijana KONONENKO, Maria Joao SILVA, Maria UHL, Marike KOLOSSA-GEHRING, Petra APELS, Merli JOEMAA, Michal JAJCAJ, Milada ESTOKOVA, Mirjam LUIJTEN, Erik LEBRET, von Goetz NATALIE, Natasa Janev HOLCER, Nicole PROBST-HENSCH, Rita CAVALEIRO, Robert BAROUKI, Elena TARROJA, Rosita Marija BALCIENE, Loreta STRUMYLAITE, Siiri LATVALA, Sonia NAMORADO, Tamas SZIGETI, Thorhallur Ingi HALLDORSSON, Kristin OLAFSDOTTIR and Wojciech WASOWICZ

Edition

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, Elsevier, 2023, 1438-4639

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10511 Environmental sciences

Country of publisher

Germany

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

Impact factor

Impact factor: 6.000 in 2022

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

UT WoS

001000693000001

Keywords in English

National hubs (NHs); Human biomonitoring (HBM) data; HBM4EU and HBM programme

Tags

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 9/7/2024 15:19, Mgr. Marie Šípková, DiS.

Abstract

V originále

Most countries have acknowledged the importance of assessing and quantifying their population's internal exposure from chemicals in air, water, soil, food and other consumer products due to the potential health and economic impact. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a valuable tool which can be used to quantify such exposures and effects. Results from HBM studies can also contribute to improving public health by providing evidence of individuals' internal chemical exposure as well as data to understand the burden of disease and associated costs thereby stimulating the development and implementation of evidence-based policy.To have a holistic view on HBM data utilisation, a multi-case research approach was used to explore the use of HBM data to support national chemical regulations, protect public health and raise awareness among countries participating in the HBM4EU project.The Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) Initiative (https://www. hbm4eu.eu/) is a collaborative effort involving 30 countries, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission (contracting authority) to harmonise procedures across Europe and advance research into the understanding of the health impacts of environmental chemical exposure. One of the aims of the project was to use HBM data to support evidence based chemical policy and make this information timely and directly available for policy makers and all partners. The main data source for this article was the narratives collected from 27 countries within the HBM4EU project. The countries (self-selection) were grouped into 3 categories in terms of HBM data usage either for public awareness, policy support or for the establishment HBM programme. Narratives were analysed/summarised using guidelines and templates that focused on ministries involved in or advocating for HBM; steps required to engage policy makers; barriers, drivers and opportunities in developing a HBM programme.The narratives reported the use of HBM data either for raising awareness or addressing environmental/public health issues and policy development. The ministries of Health and Environment were reported to be the most prominent entities advocating for HBM, the involvement of several authorities/institutions in the national hubs was also cited to create an avenue to interact, discuss and gain the attention of policy makers. Participating in European projects and the general population interest in HBM studies were seen as drivers and opportunities in developing HBM programmes. A key barrier that was cited by countries for establishing and sustaining national HBM programmes was funding which is mainly due to the high costs associated with the collection and chemical analysis of human samples. Although challenges and barriers still exist, most countries within Europe were already conversant with the benefits and opportunities of HBM.This article offers important insights into factors associated with the utilisation of HBM data for policy support and public awareness.