Browsing by Author "Santonen, Tiina"
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- Aplicação da biomonitorização humana para avaliação da exposição ocupacional a hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos na Europa: uma revisão da literaturaPublication . Louro, Henriqueta; Gomes, Bruno Costa; Saber, Anne Thoustrup; Iamiceli, Anna Laura; Göen, Thomas; Jones, Kate; Katsonouri, Andromachi; Neophytou, Christiana; Vogel, Ulla; Ventura, Célia; Oberemm, Axel; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Fernandez, Mariana F.; Olea, Nicolas; Santonen, Tiina; Viegas, Susana; Silva, Maria JoãoOs hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos (HAPs) são produtos químicos com impacto em saúde ocupacional, pelo que a avaliação da exposição humana através de estudos de biomonitorização tem aumentado nos últimos anos. No entanto, os dados obtidos são ainda insuficientes para os reguladores e decisores políticos. Este trabalho, no contexto da Iniciativa Europeia em Biomonitorização Humana (HBM4EU), descreve uma revisão da literatura sobre a exposição ocupacional aos HAPs na Europa, entre 2008 e 2022, com o objetivo de identificar as vantagens e limitações dos vários biomarcadores de exposição e /ou de efeito, bem como o conhecimento em falta para melhorar a regulamentação. Os resultados da análise dos 42 artigos elegíveis para inclusão nesta revisão demonstram que o biomarcador de exposição mais utilizado é o 1-hidroxipireno urinário, sendo os biomarcadores de efeito mais comuns, biomarcadores de stresse oxidativo e genotoxicidade. Globalmente, verificou-se a necessidade de desenvolver novas abordagens de recolha de dados e amostras, bem como a seleção apropriada de biomarcadores de forma a obter dados fiáveis e comparáveis em diferentes setores industriais. Além disso, a aplicação de biomarcadores de efeito contribui para a identificação de ambientes de trabalho ou atividades de alto risco, possibilitando medidas de mitigação e gestão de risco.
- Application of human biomonitoring data to support policy development, raise awareness and environmental public health protection among countries within the HBM4EU projectPublication . Ubong, Dorothy; Stewart, Lorraine; Sepai, Ovnair; Knudsen, Lisbeth E.; Berman, Tamar; Reynders, Hans; Van Campenhout, Karen; Katsonouri, Andromachi; Van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Ingelido, Anna Maria; Castaño, Argelia; Pedraza-Díaz, Susana; Eiríksdóttir, Ása Valgerður; Thomsen, Cathrine; Hartmann, Christina; Gjorgjev, Dragan; De Felip, Elena; Tolonen, Hanna; Santonen, Tiina; klanova, Jana; Norström, Karin; Kononenko, Lijana; Silva, Maria João; Uhl, Maria; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Apel, Petra; Jõemaa, Merli; Jajcaj, Michal; Estokova, Milada; Luijten, Mirjam; Lebret, Erik; von Goetz, Natalie; Holcer, Natasa Janev; Probst-Hensch, Nicole; Cavaleiro, Rita; Barouki, Robert; Tarroja, Elena; Balčienė, Rosita Marija; Strumylaite, Loreta; Latvala, Siiri; Namorado, Sónia; Szigeti, Tamás; Ingi Halldorsson, Thorhallur; Olafsdottir, Kristin; Wasowicz, Wojciech; Viegas, Susana; Alvito, PaulaMost countries have acknowledged the importance of assessing and quantifying their population’s internal exposure from chemicals in air, water, soil, food and other consumer products due to the potential health and economic impact. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a valuable tool which can be used to quantify such exposures and effects. Results from HBM studies can also contribute to improving public health by providing evidence of individuals’ internal chemical exposure as well as data to understand the burden of disease and associated costs thereby stimulating the development and implementation of evidence-based policy. To have a holistic view on HBM data utilisation, a multi-case research approach was used to explore the use of HBM data to support national chemical regulations, protect public health and raise awareness among countries participating in the HBM4EU project. The Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) Initiative (https://www.hbm4eu.eu/) is a collaborative effort involving 30 countries, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission (contracting authority) to harmonise procedures across Europe and advance research into the understanding of the health impacts of environmental chemical exposure. One of the aims of the project was to use HBM data to support evidence based chemical policy and make this information timely and directly available for policy makers and all partners. The main data source for this article was the narratives collected from 27 countries within the HBM4EU project. The countries (self-selection) were grouped into 3 categories in terms of HBM data usage either for public awareness, policy support or for the establishment HBM programme. Narratives were analysed/summarised using guidelines and templates that focused on ministries involved in or advocating for HBM; steps required to engage policy makers; barriers, drivers and opportunities in developing a HBM programme. The narratives reported the use of HBM data either for raising awareness or addressing environmental/public health issues and policy development. The ministries of Health and Environment were reported to be the most prominent entities advocating for HBM, the involvement of several authorities/institutions in the national hubs was also cited to create an avenue to interact, discuss and gain the attention of policy makers. Participating in European projects and the general population interest in HBM studies were seen as drivers and opportunities in developing HBM programmes. A key barrier that was cited by countries for establishing and sustaining national HBM programmes was funding which is mainly due to the high costs associated with the collection and chemical analysis of human samples. Although challenges and barriers still exist, most countries within Europe were already conversant with the benefits and opportunities of HBM. This article offers important insights into factors associated with the utilisation of HBM data for policy support and public awareness.
- Assessment of occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium – recommendations from HBM4EU chromate studyPublication . Santonen, Tiina; Bocca, Beatrice; Bousoumah, Radia; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Galea, Karen S.; Godderis, Lode; Göen, Thomas; Hardy, Emilie; Iavicoli, Ivo; Janasik, Beata; Jones, Kate; Leese, Elizabeth; Leso, Veruscka; Louro, Henriqueta; Majery, Nicole; Ndaw, Sophie; Pinhal, Hermínia; Porras, Simo P.; Scheepers, Paul T.J.; Sepai, Ovnair; Silva, Maria João; van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Verdonck, Jelle; Viegas, Susana; Wasowicz, WojciechIntroduction: Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is an important occupational carcinogen. In addition to air monitoring biomonitoring is commonly applied to monitor exposure to Cr(VI). Within the EU biomonitoring initiative, HBM4EU, we explored the applicability of different biomonitoring methods in the assessment of occupational exposure to Cr(VI) in welding and surface treatment activities. Materials and Methods: A multi-center cross-sectional study was performed in Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and United Kingdom. Harmonized procedures were used to collect biological and industrial hygiene samples. Contextual information was collected using questionnaires. Altogether 602 exposed workers and controls were included in the study. Exposure biomarkers studied included urinary, red blood cell (RBC) and plasma Cr, and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) Cr(VI)/Cr(III). In addition, number of effect biomarkers were studied. Results: All exposure markers showed highest exposure levels among chrome plating workers. U-Cr showed a good correlation with air Cr(VI) in bath platers and welders. Observed low correlations between different exposure biomarkers suggest that these approaches are not interchangeable but rather complementary. Conclusions: U-Cr showed its value as the first approach for the assessment of internal exposure to Cr(VI). We recommend pre- and post-shift samples for low exposure levels. RBC/P-Cr and EBC-Cr(VI)/Cr(III) provide additional information when more specific information on exposure is needed. The current exposure levels require analytical methods with high sensitivity.
- Avaliação do risco da mistura de crómio hexavalente, níquel e hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos a partir de dados de exposição ocupacional extraídos da literaturaPublication . Tavares, Ana Maria; Viegas, Susana; Louro, Henriqueta; Goen, Thomas; Santonen, Tiina; Luijten, Mirjam; Kortenkamp, Andreas; Silva, Maria JoãoNa maioria dos contextos laborais ocorre, em geral, exposição a misturas de substâncias químicas. Este estudo, inserido na iniciativa HBM4EU, visou avaliar o risco de exposição a misturas de crómio hexavalente [Cr ( VI ) ], níquel (Ni ) e/ou hicrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos (HAPs ) a partir de dados de exposição reportados em estudos realizados em várias indústrias na Europa. Para a avaliação do risco de misturas binárias (Cr e Ni ) e ternárias (Cr, Ni e HAPs ) calcularam-se os Quocientes de Risco (QR) e a Soma dos Quocientes de Risco (SQR) a partir dos dados de biomonitorização humana (BMH) e de medições dessas substâncias no ar. É geralmente aceite que um valor de QR ou SQR superior a 1 indica um risco acrescido para a saúde. Para a maioria das medições de exposição a partir de biomarcadores urinários obtiveram-se valores médios de SQR>1, sendo que os respetivos QR calculados para cada uma das substâncias individuais por vezes não excederam os valores limite (QR<1). Estes resultados mostram não só que existe um risco acrescido para a saúde decorrente da coexposição a estas substâncias em contexto ocupacional, como também que esse risco é frequentemente subestimado no processo clássico de avaliação de risco substância a substância. Com este estudo demonstrou-se a relevância de avaliar o risco decorrente da exposição a misturas, particularmente com base em dados de BMH, sendo esta uma abordagem mais realista do contexto ocupacional e que permite uma melhor caracterização do risco com vista a uma proteção mais eficaz da saúde dos trabalhadores.
- Caracterização de biomarcadores de genotoxicidade em trabalhadores expostos a crómio hexavalente: um estudo no âmbito da Iniciativa Europeia em Biomonitorização HumanaPublication . Tavares, Ana; Aimonen, Kukka; Ndaw, Sophie; Fučić, Aleksandra; Catalán, Julia; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Godderis, Lode; Gomes, Bruno C.; Janasik, Beata; Ladeira, Carina; Louro, Henriqueta; Namorado, Sónia; Van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Norppa, Hannu; Scheepers, Paul T.J.; Ventura, Célia; Verdonck, Jelle; Viegas, Susana; Wasowicz, Wojciech; Santonen, Tiina; Silva, Maria JoãoNo âmbito da Iniciativa Europeia em Biomonitorização Humana (HBM4EU) realizou-se um estudo ocupacional, envolvendo trabalhadores com potencial exposição a crómio hexavalente [Cr( VI)], um reconhecido agente carcinogénico. No presente estudo são apresentados os resultados de biomarcadores de genotoxicidade, incluindo a análise de lesão no DNA e de alterações cromossómicas em células sanguíneas. O estudo foi realizado em vários Países Europeus e abrangeu trabalhadores de diversos setores industriais e atividades, bem como um grupo de controlo constituído por trabalhadores administrativos das mesmas empresas (controlo interno) e de outras não relacionadas com produção/aplicação de Cr( VI) (controlo externo). Os resultados mostraram níveis de alterações cromossómicas (ensaio do micronúcleo) e de lesão no DNA (ensaio do cometa) significativamente aumentados nos trabalhadores expostos comparativamente aos controlos externos ( p=0,03; p<0,001, respetivamente). Estes resultados sugerem que mesmo um baixo nível de exposição ao Cr( VI) representa um risco acrescido para a saúde dos trabalhadores e, principalmente, para os que realizam cromagem em banho. O grupo controlo interno apresentou níveis médios de lesões no DNA e nos cromossomas comparáveis aos do grupo exposto, salientando a relevância de se considerarem também em risco. O uso de biomarcadores de efeito demonstrou ser crucial para a deteção precoce de efeitos biológicos decorrentes de baixos níveis de exposição ao Cr( VI), contribuindo para a identificação de subgrupos em maior risco. O presente estudo vem apoiar a necessidade de uma reavaliação do limite de exposição ocupacional a Cr( VI), bem como da implementação de medidas de gestão de risco conducentes a uma melhor proteção da saúde dos trabalhadores.
- Carcinogenicity of cobalt, antimony compounds, and weapons-grade tungsten alloyPublication . Karagas, Margaret R.; Wang, Amy; Dorman, David C.; Hall, Amy L.; Pi, Jingbo; Sergi, Consolato M.; Symanski, Elaine; Ward, Elizabeth M.; Arrandale, Victoria H.; Azuma, Kenichi; Brambila, Eduardo; Calaf, Gloria M.; Fritz, Jason M.; Fukushima, Shoji; Gaitens, Joanna M.; Grimsrud, Tom K.; Guo, Lei; Lynge, Elsebeth; Marinho-Reis, Amélia P.; McDiarmid, Melissa A.; Middleton, Daniel R.S.; Ong, Thomas P.; Polya, David A.; Quintanilla-Vega, Betzabet; Roberts, Georgia K.; Santonen, Tiina; Sauni, Riitta; Silva, Maria João; Wild, Pascal; Zhang, Changwen W.; Zhang, Qunwei; Grosse, Yann; Benbrahim-Tallaa, Lamia; de Conti, Aline; DeBono, Nathan L.; Ghissassi, Fatiha El; Madia, Federica; Reisfeld, Bradley; Stayner, Leslie T.; Suonio, Eero; Viegas, Susana; Wedekind, Roland; Ahmadi, Shukrullah; Mattock, Heidi; Gwinn, William M.; Schubauer-Berigan, Mary K.In March, 2022, a Working Group of 31 scientists from 13 countries met remotely at the invitation of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to finalise their evaluation of the carcinogenicity of nine agents: cobalt metal (without tungsten carbide or other metal alloys), soluble cobalt(II) salts, cobalt(II) oxide, cobalt(II,III) oxide, cobalt(II) sulfide, other cobalt(II) compounds, trivalent antimony, pentavalent antimony, and weapons-grade tungsten (with nickel and cobalt) alloy. For cobalt metal and the cobalt compounds, particles of all sizes were included in the evaluation.
- A case study on occupational exposure to Chromium (VI), Nickel, PAH mixtures and lung cancer.Publication . Silva, Maria João; Louro, Henriqueta; Viegas, Susana; Gomes, Bruno Costa; Santonen, Tiina; Kortenkamp, Andreas; Lebret, ErikBackground: In several industries, e.g., aircrafts maintenance, workers are co-exposed to a range of hazardous substances, including hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)], nickel (Ni) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Each of these compounds can cause serious health effects, including lung cancer. However, the association between exposure and health outcome has not been analysed from a mixture perspective, i.e., considering the potential interactive effects of those substances as determinants of lung cancer. Here we present the development of a case study on occupational exposure to Cr (VI), Ni and PAHs to advance the identification of mixture health effects and to progress towards a more refined risk assessment. Methods: A tiered framework is applied that includes a first step of collection of relevant hazard (e.g., genotoxicity) and exposure information gathered from literature or from HBM4EU databases on occupational cohorts. Then, this information will be used to construct hazard quotients derived from relevant occupational exposure limits for Cr (VI), Ni and PAHs, followed by the determination of the Hazard Index (HI). Results: The estimations based on available literature search will be presented and discussed, keeping the perspective of its contribution to generate directions for the exposure, hazard, and risk assessments. In addition, the biomonitoring levels of Cr (VI) and Ni and the data on external levels of PAHs produced in the chromate occupational exposure study, will allow a refinement of the exposure assessment, comparatively to the literature-based results obtained. Conclusions: It is anticipated that the assessment of the risk from occupational co-exposure to Cr(VI), Ni and PAHs - based on data obtained from a EU-wide harmonised study - will add on building a framework for mixtures risk assessment, that can be further applied for substances to which co-exposure occurs or/and are expected to produce similar health outcomes.
- Developing human biomonitoring as a 21st century toolbox within the European exposure science strategy 2020-2030Publication . Zare Jeddi, Maryam; Hopf, Nancy B.; Louro, Henriqueta; Viegas, Susana; Galea, Karen S.; Pasanen-Kase, Robert; Santonen, Tiina; Mustieles, Vicente; Fernandez, Mariana F.; Verhagen, Hans; Bopp, Stephanie K.; Antignac, Jean Philippe; David, Arthur; Mol, Hans; Barouki, Robert; Audouze, Karine; Duca, Radu-Corneliu; Fantke, Peter; Scheepers, Paul; Ghosh, Manosij; Van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Lobo Vicente, Joana; Trier, Xenia; Rambaud, Loïc; Fillol, Clémence; Denys, Sebastien; Conrad, André; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Paini, Alicia; Arnot, Jon; Schulze, Florian; Jones, Kate; Sepai, Ovnair; Ali, Imran; Brennan, Lorraine; Benfenati, Emilio; Cubadda, Francesco; Mantovani, Alberto; Bartonova, Alena; Connolly, Alison; Slobodnik, Jaroslav; Bruinen de Bruin, Yuri; van Klaveren, Jacob; Palmen, Nicole; Dirven, Hubert; Husøy, Trine; Thomsen, Cathrine; Virgolino, Ana; Röösli, Martin; Gant, Tim; von Goetz, Natalie; Bessems, JosHuman biomonitoring (HBM) is a crucial approach for exposure assessment, as emphasised in the European Commission’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). HBM can help to improve chemical policies in five major key areas: (1) assessing internal and aggregate exposure in different target populations; 2) assessing exposure to chemicals across life stages; (3) assessing combined exposure to multiple chemicals (mixtures); (4) bridging regulatory silos on aggregate exposure; and (5) enhancing the effectiveness of risk management measures. In this strategy paper we propose a vision and a strategy for the use of HBM in chemical regulations and public health policy in Europe and beyond. We outline six strategic objectives and a roadmap to further strengthen HBM approaches and increase their implementation in the regulatory risk assessment of chemicals to enhance our understanding of exposure and health impacts, enabling timely and targeted policy interventions and risk management. These strategic objectives are: 1) further development of sampling strategies and sample preparation; 2) further development of chemical-analytical HBM methods; 3) improving harmonisation throughout the HBM research life cycle; 4) further development of quality control / quality assurance throughout the HBM research life cycle; 5) obtain sustained funding and reinforcement by legislation; and 6) extend target-specific communication with scientists, policymakers, citizens and other stakeholders. HBM approaches are essential in risk assessment to address scientific, regulatory and societal challenges. HBM requires full and strong support from the scientific and regulatory domain to reach its full potential in public and occupational health assessment and in regulatory decision-making.
- FAIR environmental and health registry (FAIREHR)- supporting the science to policy interface and life science research, development and innovationPublication . Zare Jeddi, Maryam; Galea, Karen S.; Viegas, Susana; Fantke, Peter; Louro, Henriqueta; Theunis, Jan; Govarts, Eva; Denys, Sébastien; Fillol, Clémence; Rambaud, Loïc; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Santonen, Tiina; van der Voet, Hilko; Ghosh, Manosij; Costa, Carla; Teixeira, João Paulo; Verhagen, Hans; Duca, Radu-Corneliu; Van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Jones, Kate; Sams, Craig; Sepai, Ovnair; Tranfo, Giovanna; Bakker, Martine; Palmen, Nicole; van Klaveren, Jacob; Scheepers, Paul T. J.; Paini, Alicia; Canova, Cristina; von Goetz, Natalie; Katsonouri, Andromachi; Karakitsios, Spyros; Sarigiannis, Dimosthenis A.; Bessems, Jos; Machera, Kyriaki; Harrad, Stuart; Hopf, Nancy B.The environmental impact on health is an inevitable by-product of human activity. Environmental health sciences is a multidisciplinary field addressing complex issues on how people are exposed to hazardous chemicals that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations. Exposure sciences and environmental epidemiology are becoming increasingly data-driven and their efficiency and effectiveness can significantly improve by implementing the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) principles for scientific data management and stewardship. This will enable data integration, interoperability and (re)use while also facilitating the use of new and powerful analytical tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning in the benefit of public health policy, and research, development and innovation (RDI). Early research planning is critical to ensuring data is FAIR at the outset. This entails a well-informed and planned strategy concerning the identification of appropriate data and metadata to be gathered, along with established procedures for their collection, documentation, and management. Furthermore, suitable approaches must be implemented to evaluate and ensure the quality of the data. Therefore, the 'Europe Regional Chapter of the International Society of Exposure Science' (ISES Europe) human biomonitoring working group (ISES Europe HBM WG) proposes the development of a FAIR Environment and health registry (FAIREHR) (hereafter FAIREHR). FAIR Environment and health registry offers preregistration of studies on exposure sciences and environmental epidemiology using HBM (as a starting point) across all areas of environmental and occupational health globally. The registry is proposed to receive a dedicated web-based interface, to be electronically searchable and to be available to all relevant data providers, users and stakeholders. Planned Human biomonitoring studies would ideally be registered before formal recruitment of study participants. The resulting FAIREHR would contain public records of metadata such as study design, data management, an audit trail of major changes to planned methods, details of when the study will be completed, and links to resulting publications and data repositories when provided by the authors. The FAIREHR would function as an integrated platform designed to cater to the needs of scientists, companies, publishers, and policymakers by providing user-friendly features. The implementation of FAIREHR is expected to yield significant benefits in terms of enabling more effective utilization of human biomonitoring (HBM) data.
- Guidance on minimum information requirements (MIR) from designing to reporting human biomonitoring (HBM)Publication . Jeddi, Maryam Zare; Galea, Karen S.; Ashley-Martin, Jillian; Nassif, Julianne; Pollock, Tyler; Poddalgoda, Devika; Kasiotis, Konstantinos M.; Esteban-López, Marta; Chung, Ming Kei; Kil, Jihyon; Jones, Kate; Covaci, Adrian; Ait Bamai, Yu; Fernandez, Mariana F.; Pasanen Kase, Robert; Louro, Henriqueta; Silva, Maria J.; Santonen, Tiina; Katsonouri, Andromachi; Castaño, Argelia; Quirós-Alcalá, Lesliam; Argelia Castaño; Lesliam Quirós-Alcalá; Lin, Elizabeth Ziying; Pollitt, Krystal; Ana Virgolino; Virgolino, Ana; Scheepers, Paul T.J; Mustieles, Vicente; Cañas-Portilla, Ana Isabel; Viegas, Susana; von Goetz, Natalie; Sepai, Ovnair; Bird, Emily; Gӧen, Thomas; Fustinoni, Silvia; Ghosh, Manosij; Dirven, Hubert; Kwon, Jung-Hwan; Carignan, Courtney; Mizuno, Yuki; Ito, Yuki; Xia, Yankai; Shoji F. Nakayama; Nakayama, Shoji F.; Makris, Konstantinos C.; Parsons, Patrick J.; Gonzales, Melissa; Bader, Michael; Dusinska, Maria; Menouni, Aziza; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Chbihi, Kaoutar; El Jaafari, Samir; Godderis, Lode; van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Qureshi, Asif; Ali, Imran; Costa Trindade, Carla; Teixeira, Joao Paulo; Bartonova, Alena; Tranfo, Giovanna; Audouze, Karine; Verpaele, Steven; LaKind, Judy; Mol, Hans; Bessems, Jos; Magagna, Barbara; Nasution Waras, Maisarah; Connolly, Alison; Nascarella, Marc; Yang, Wonho; Huang, Po-Chin; Heussen, Henri; Goksel, Ozlem; Yunesian, Masud; Yeung, Leo W.Y.; Souza, Gustavo; Vekic, Ana Maria; Haynes, Erin N.; Hopf, Nancy B.Human biomonitoring (HBM) provides an integrated chemical exposures assessment considering all routes and sources of exposure. The accurate interpretation and comparability of biomarkers of exposure and effect depend on harmonized, quality-assured sampling, processing, and analysis. Currently, the lack of broadly accepted guidance on minimum information required for collecting and reporting HBM data, hinders comparability between studies. Furthermore, it prevents HBM from reaching its full potential as a reliable approach for assessing and managing the risks of human exposure to chemicals. The European Chapter of the International Society of Exposure Science HBM Working Group (ISES Europe HBM working group) has established a global human biomonitoring community network (HBM Global Network) to develop a guidance to define the minimum information to be collected and reported in HBM, called the “Minimum Information Requirements for Human Biomonitoring (MIR-HBM)”. This work builds on previous efforts to harmonize HBM worldwide. The MIR-HBM guidance covers all phases of HBM from the design phase to the effective communication of results. By carefully defining MIR for all phases, researchers and health professionals can make their HBM studies and programs are robust, reproducible, and meaningful. Acceptance and implementation of MIR-HBM Guidelines in both the general population and occupational fields would improve the interpretability and regulatory utility of HBM data. While implementation challenges remain—such as varying local capacities, and ethical and legal differences at the national levels, this initiative represents an important step toward harmonizing HBM practice and supports an ongoing dialogue among policymakers, legal experts, and scientists to effectively address these challenges. Leveraging the data and insights from HBM, policymakers can develop more effective strategies to protect public health and ensure safer working environments.