National exposure measurements for decisions to protect public health from environmental exposures

摘要: Abstract Protecting public health from environmental exposures requires four steps: detection of known or expected to cause disease, assessment risk exposure, implementation an exposure intervention, and assurance that the intervention is effective. To prioritize efforts in these areas one must consider size population affected, seriousness effects, availability cost-effective interventions. Population data critical each steps for protecting health. Biomonitoring US now available assist scientists physicians preventing disease exposures, it complements levels chemicals media. The Second National Report on Human Exposure Environmental Chemicals provides serum, blood urine 116 over years 1999 2000, with separate analyses by age, sex, race/ethnicity. This national information identifies which get into Americans measurable quantities; determines whether are higher among subgroups; how many have above recognized threshold (for such levels); establishes reference ranges define general so unusual can be recognized; assesses effectiveness reduce selected chemicals; tracks time trends exposure. Blood lead measurements were important identifying gasoline as a significant source human documenting reduction result removing other products United States. Serum cotinine early 1990s found more widespread tobacco smoke (ETS) States than previously thought additional 2000 documented major declines ETS actions 1990s. A new biomonitoring will released every 2 “National Chemicals.” These reports include current added monitor priority population.