Environmental Human Monitoring Survey

Stanley JS. 1986. Broad scan analysis of the FY82 national human adipose tissue survey specimens. Volume 1. Executive Summary. Washington, DC US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Toxic Substances, Design and Development Branch, National Human Monitoring Program. EPA 560/5-86-035. 

A survey of the environmental control and monitoring technology used in several experimental studies indicated significant limitations in experimental control capability. There are seven controlled-environment chambers or clean-room facilities in the United States for human exposure (community air pollution inhalation) from which studies have been reported. Another is under construction at the University of North Carolina in association with the epa at Chapel Hill. There are three chambers in Canada of similar design. 

The concentrations in body fluids of trace elements with no known biological functions for maintaining optimal human health, and which are toxic at relatively low concentrations are listed in Table 3. Measurements of these concentrations can be important in monitoring the health of populations occupationally exposed to these elements and in surveys to determine the extent of possible environmental contamination. 

The selection of a measurement method is strictly determined by the particular purpose of the measurement, such as personnel monitoring (bioassay exposure less than a specified limit), monitoring (environmental survey incremental increase to prior existing concentrations), and determination of baseline concentrations (benchmark values). Relatively simple and inexpensive measurements can be used for bioassay of urinary uranium. Highly sophisticated and expensive devices may be required to establish baseline concentrations, particularly in unexposed human tissues and blood. 

---