Biological monitoring and risk assessment in occupational settings.

In summary, we have found biomonitoring to be a valuable adjunct to medical surveillance in a number of situations. Although the potential benefits are relatively easy to demonstrate, clear guidance must be provided to assure that no harm will result from a biomonitoring program. A critical step in this regard is attention to the communication of objectives and results. This is especially true where biomonitoring of carcinogenic substances or surrogate measures for these substances are being considered. In such situations, action levels are helpful for interpretative purposes and immediate decision-making, but not for determining individual health risks. However, the quantitative results may be suitable for use in future health studies and risk assessments.