Human Biomonitoring

Biomonitoring measures the amount of specific chemicals in a person's body at a given time. When coupled with exposure information, laboratory data can offer insights into potential public health interventions and exposure reduction strategies. When samples are collected broadly and systematically, biomonitoring data can help identify and track trends, such as geographic regions with higher than typical exposure levels, or exposures to emerging contaminants. It can also identify when exposure is no longer a concern, perhaps as the result of a public health policy or intervention.

State biomonitoring programs investigate community concerns and/or systematically identify and track ongoing chemical exposure trends in their state populations. Through population-based surveillance or targeted investigations for groups with identified exposures, state biomonitoring programs work to improve community health and reduce chemical exposures.

State biomonitoring programs investigate community concerns and/or systematically identify and track ongoing chemical exposure trends in their state populations. Through population-based surveillance or targeted investigations for groups with identified exposures, state biomonitoring programs work to improve community health and reduce chemical exposures. State Biomonitoring Cooperative Agreement has funded states to expand targeted and population-based biomonitoring surveillance since 2009.

• Four Corners States Biomonitoring Consortium (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah)
• Michigan
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New York
• Wisconsin

Programs below include collaborations between government and university partners:

• Alaska: Alaska Statewide Hair Mercury Biomonitoring Program
• Iowa: Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory and University of Iowa 
• Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Health 
• Michigan: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services 
• Rhode Island: State of Rhode Island Department of Health

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