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, 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, 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. Application of human biomonitoring data to support policy development, raise awareness and environmental public health protection among countries within the HBM4EU project. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. Elsevier, 2023, vol. 251, June 2023, p. 1-28. ISSN 1438-4639. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114170.

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

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 10511 Environmental sciences
• Country of publisher: Germany
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 6.000 in 2022
• Organization unit: Faculty of Science
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114170
• UT WoS: 001000693000001
• Keywords in English: National hubs (NHs); Human biomonitoring (HBM) data; HBM4EU and HBM programme
• Tags: rivok
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

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.