Framework for the development and application of environmental biological monitoring guidance values

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is widely recognised as a useful tool to aid assessment of exposure to chemical substances, but our ability to detect hazardous substances (or their metabolites and health effects) often exceeds our understanding of their biological relevance. There are only a few established frameworks for developing and using occupational and environmental biological guidance values (BGVs), mostly for data-rich substances that have been in use for some time. BGVs for new substances and those with unknown dose–response relationships are difficult to derive. An accepted framework based on current scientific knowledge and best practice is therefore urgently needed to help scientists, regulators, and stakeholders to design appropriate HBM studies, interpret HBM data (both for groups and individuals) understand the limitations and to take appropriate action when required. The development and application of such a tool is described here. We derived a conceptual framework that was refined by consultation with an advisory group and workshop. The resulting framework comprised four levels defined by increasing data, with increasing confidence for human health risk assessment. Available data were used for 12 chemicals with expert judgement to illustrate the utility of the framework.