What is a primary function of human biomonitoring in health assessment?

Human biomonitoring primarily involves the detection and analysis of chemical levels in humans, making it a critical tool in health assessments. This method allows researchers and health professionals to measure the concentration of various substances within human biological samples, such as blood, urine, or tissues.

By accurately quantifying these chemical exposures, biomonitoring can provide valuable insights into the patterns of human exposure to environmental chemicals and the potential health effects. It serves to identify trends in exposure over time, helps in understanding the relationship between these exposures and health outcomes, and is integral in assessing the effectiveness of public health interventions aimed at reducing toxic exposures.

Furthermore, findings from biomonitoring studies can inform risk assessments and contribute to developing regulations and policies related to public health and environmental safety. This direct measurement of chemicals in humans distinguishes biomonitoring from other assessments, such as economic evaluations or social impact assessments, which do not focus on the biological evidence of exposure.