Concept of the Flemish human biomonitoring programme.

Since 2002 a human biomonitoring network has been established in Flanders (Belgium) as part of a
programme on environmental health surveillance. The human biomonitoring network should support
environmental health policy by identifying priorities for further action. The first cycle of the programme
(2002-2006) confirmed the hypotheses that living in areas with different environmental pressure is
reflected in different loads of environmental chemicals in the residents. In the second cycle of the programme(2007-2011) the number of environmental chemicals for which human biomonitoring data
were obtained was expanded substantially. The goal of the Flemish programme is to use and translate
the scientific results into policy actions. Its further orientation in the second cycle to human biomonitoring in hot spots and sensitive age groups or susceptible persons with underlying complications (e.g.persons with diabetes) are linked to these goals. Interaction with stakeholders is embedded in the programmeemphasizing transparency of the choices that are made and direct communication. The Flemish
human biomonitoring programme is organized centrally with major involvement of research partners
from different disciplines which allows engrafting environmental health research on the programme.
One of the major focuses is the question whether combinations of pollutants in the general population
are associated with biological effects. The objective of this paper is to review and discuss the options that were taken in the human biomonitoring programme in order to achieve its goals.

Publication year:2012

Keywords:Human biomonitoring, General population, Hot spots, Reference values, Stakeholder dialogue, Participatory process