Table 1 Overview on European cross-sectional HBM studies
From: Environmental health surveillance in a future European health information system
Scientific Focus | Size | Age groups | Matrix | Chemicals | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belgium FLEHS | Wide range of exposure burden in Flanders, reference values | 650 | new-borns and their mothers 14–15 y/o adults 20–40 y/o adults | Cord blood, blood, urine hair | metals, dioxins, PCBs, PAHs, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, phthalates, musks, parabens and organophosphate pesticides, flame retardants | 4× since 2002 |
Czech Republic EHMS | Core set of chemicals measured in the Czech population | 1290 | 18–58 y/o adults 8–10 y/o children breastfeeding primiparas g | Blood urine, breastmilk, teeth | metals, PCBs, cotinine, organochlorines | Annually since 1994 |
France ENNS | Wide range of exposure burden on children and adults in France | 4790 | 3–17 y/o children 18–74 y/o adults | Blood, urine hair | metals, PCBs, organochlorines, pyrethroids, organophosphates | Once, 2006–2007 |
Germany GerES | Wide range of exposure burden on adults, children and adolescents in Germany, reference values | 1790–4822 | adults: GerES I-III: 18–79 y children and adolescents: GerES III-V: 6–17 y (GerES III) 3–14 y (GerES IV) 3–17 y (GerES V) (in preparation: adults: GerES VI: 18–79 y) | Blood urine | metals, organochlorines, cotinine, organophosphates, chlorophenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pyrethroids, phthalates, bisphenol A, phenanthrenes, plasticiser substitutes, pyrrolidones | 5× since 1985 |
Italy PROBE | POPs´ and metals’ internal dose in adults to highlight the environmental impact on the health of Italian population | 1423 | 18–65 y/o adults | Blood | 20 metals, POPs | 2× (both 2008) |
Slovenia HBM program | Pilot study for establishing reference values for selected chemicals in Slovenia | 320 | Breast feeding first time mothers (20–35 y/o) and their male partners | Blood breast milk | metals, PCBs, PBDEs, PCDDs, PCDFs | 2× (2007, 2011) |
Spain- BIOAMBI-ENT.ES | Estimation of levels of heavy metals and other substances on the Spanish active workforce | 1892 | Participants (≥16 y/o) | Blood, urine hair | metals, PCBs, cotinine, organochlorines, PAHs, PBDEs, perfluorinated alkyl substances, phthalates, DINCH | Once, 2009–2010 |
Spain BEA | Study of the adolescents to environmental pollutants and determinant factors | 500 | Adolescents (14–16 y/o) | Blood, urine, hair | Metals, bisphenols, triclosan, phthalates and others organic pollutants | Once, 2017 |
DEMOCOPHES | To test the feasibility of harmonized HBM in Europe | 1844 (~ 240 per country) | Children 6–11 y/o and their mothers (≤ 45 y/o) | Hair urine | phthalates, cadmium, mercury | Once, 2010–2012 |