Biomarkers of Exposure in Community Settings

Abstract

Biomonitoring is a valuable tool for assessing human exposures to chemical contaminants in the environment. Biomonitoring tests can be divided into biomarkers of exposure, effect, and susceptibility. In studies of community exposure to an environmental contaminant, biomarkers of exposure are most often used. The ideal biomarker should be sensitive, specific, biologically relevant, practical, inexpensive, and available. Seldom does a biomarker meet all of these criteria--most biomarkers represent a compromise of these criteria. In designing a community exposure study, consideration should also be given to the selection of the test population, the practicality of collecting biological samples, temporal or seasonal variations in exposure, the availability of background comparison ranges, and interpretation of the test results. Biomonitoring tests provide unequivocal evidence of exposure, but they do not typically identify the source of exposure. Furthermore, rarely do the test results predict a health outcome. For many chemicals, testing must be conducted soon after exposure has occurred. In spite of these limitations, the use of biomonitoring is finding wider application in many scientific disciplines. Recent advances in analytical techniques are expanding the utility of biomarker testing in public health investigations.

Cytokines and other immunological biomarkers in children's environmental health studies

“…related to the disease or pathophysiological process of interest), 2) strong, mechanistic molecular or biochemical basis in the pathophysiology of a disease, 3) sensitivity and specificity with respect to treatment or exposure, 4) reliability, 5) practicality (level of assay invasiveness), and 6) simplicity in use and application (Metcalf andOrloff, 2004,Lesko andAtkinson, 2001). There continues to be a need for human cell-based methods that can be used to assess the immunotoxicity of xenobiotics in a simple, fast, economical and reliable way (Langezaal et al, 2002).…”

“…Additionally, biological markers are important tools for molecular epidemiology and human biomonitoring studies (NRC, 2006). They have been used in exposure assessment (Metcalf and Orloff, 2004,Aprea et al,2002,Anwar, 1997 and health risk prediction (Bonassi and Au, 2002). Biological markers of exposure to bioaerosols (e.g.…”

Identification and Quantification of 1-Nitropyrene Metabolites in Human Urine as a Proposed Biomarker for Exposure to Diesel Exhaust

“…Biomarkers of exposures can be exogenous chemicals or metabolites quantified in biological samples such as urine or blood (24). The metabolites of 1-NP are expected to be a specific biomarker of exposure to DEP because of 1-NP's strong association with diesel exhaust (25).…”

A rapid analytical method for hair analysis using ambient pressure ion mobility mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI-IMMS)

“…The advantages of performing hair analysis over other biological samples are that hair analysis (1) is a less intrusive method, (2) provides a history of drug use, (3) is more resistant to adulteration, (4) can be easily collected and stored, (5) has long shelf life and (6) can be easily decontaminated [1]. Determination of cause of death, or assessment of drug abuse and exposure levels to environmental and industrial pollutants [2][3][4] or monitoring therapeutic compliance and treatment [5,6] are achieved by performing analysis of hair samples. Identification, detection and/or determination of metabolites present in hair can also be used to predict, detect, and treat various diseases [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14].…”