TY - JOUR
T1 - Application of human biomonitoring data to support policy development, raise awareness and environmental public health protection among countries within the HBM4EU project
AU - Ubong, Dorothy
AU - Stewart, Lorraine
AU - Sepai, Ovnair
AU - Knudsen, Lisbeth E.
AU - Berman, Tamar
AU - Reynders, Hans
AU - Van Campenhout, Karen
AU - Katsonouri, Andromachi
AU - Van Nieuwenhuyse, An
AU - Ingelido, Anna Maria
AU - Castaño, Argelia
AU - Pedraza-Díaz, Susana
AU - Eiríksdóttir, Ása Valgerður
AU - Thomsen, Cathrine
AU - Hartmann, Christina
AU - Gjorgjev, Dragan
AU - De Felip, Elena
AU - Tolonen, Hanna
AU - Santonen, Tiina
AU - klanova, Jana
AU - Norström, Karin
AU - Kononenko, Lijana
AU - Silva, Maria João
AU - Uhl, Maria
AU - Kolossa-Gehring, Marike
AU - Apel, Petra
AU - Jõemaa, Merli
AU - Jajcaj, Michal
AU - Estokova, Milada
AU - Luijten, Mirjam
AU - Lebret, Erik
AU - von Goetz, Natalie
AU - Holcer, Natasa Janev
AU - Probst-Hensch, Nicole
AU - Cavaleiro, Rita
AU - Barouki, Robert
AU - Tarroja, Elena
AU - Balčienė, Rosita Marija
AU - Strumylaite, Loreta
AU - Latvala, Siiri
AU - Namorado, Sónia
AU - Szigeti, Tamás
AU - Ingi Halldorsson, Thorhallur
AU - Olafsdottir, Kristin
AU - Wasowicz, Wojciech
AU - Viegas, Susana
AU - Alvito, Paula
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023
PY - 2023/6
Y1 - 2023/6
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - HBM4EU and HBM programme
KW - Human biomonitoring (HBM) data
KW - National hubs (NHs)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85159305849&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114170
DO - 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114170
M3 - Review article
C2 - 37207539
AN - SCOPUS:85159305849
SN - 1438-4639
VL - 251
JO - International Journal Of Hygiene And Environmental Health
JF - International Journal Of Hygiene And Environmental Health
M1 - 114170
ER -