Towards Harmonized Biobanking for Biomonitoring: A Comparison of Human Biomonitoring-Related and Clinical Biorepositories

Abstract

Human biomonitoring (HBM) depends on high-quality human samples to identify status and trends in exposure and ensure comparability of results. In this context, much effort has been put into the development of standardized processes and quality assurance for sampling and chemical analysis, while effects of sample storage and shipment on sample quality have been less thoroughly addressed. To characterize the currently applied storage and shipment procedures within the consortium of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), which aims at harmonization of HBM in Europe, a requirement analysis based on data from an online survey was conducted. In addition, the online survey was addressed to professionals in clinical biobanking represented by members of the European, Middle Eastern and African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking (ESBB) to identify the current state-of-the-art in terms of sample storage and shipment. Results of this survey conducted in these two networks were compared to detect processes with potential for optimization and harmonization. In general, many similarities exist in sample storage and shipment procedures applied by ESBB members and HBM4EU partners and many requirements for ensuring sample quality are already met also by HBM4EU partners. Nevertheless, a need for improvement was identified for individual steps in sample storage, shipment, and related data management with potential impact on sample and data quality for HBM purposes. Based on these findings, recommendations for crucial first steps to further strengthen sample quality, and thus foster advancement in HBM on a pan-European level are given.

HBM4EU combines and harmonises human biomonitoring data across the EU, building on existing capacity – The HBM4EU survey

“…Transport of samples to the laboratories followed the appropriate SOP, which was developed within the framework of the HBM4EU initiative ( Lermen et al, 2020 ). Additionally, the comparability and quality of the biomarker measurements performed within the joint HBM4EU survey is controlled at the EU level.…”

Developing human biomonitoring as a 21st century toolbox within the European exposure science strategy 2020–2030

“…This information is important to locate exposure hot spots and exposures among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and people with low socio-economic status. Retrospective analysis of (stored) biological samples (biobanks) can detect changes in production, use, and the effectiveness of exposure mitigation measures (Göen et al 2018), provided that storage conditions ensure that modifications of the samples are negligible (Lermen et al 2020). Some EU countries have well-established national HBM programmes.…”

Biobanks—A Platform for Scientific and Biomedical Research

“…Such guidelines are developed and updated by organizations such as ISBER [22], the European and Middle Eastern Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking (ESBB) and the Biobanking and BioMolecular Resources Research Infrastructure-European Research Infrastructure Consortium (BBMRI-ERIC) [76].…”