EPA priorities for biologic markers research in environmental health

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.9298235· OSTI ID:7019219

Fowle, III, J R; Sexton, K ^[1]

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1. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States)

Recent advances in molecular and cellular biology allow for measurement of biologic events or substances that may provide markers of exposure, effect, or susceptibility in humans. The application of these new and emerging techniques to environmental health offers the possibility of significantly reducing the uncertainties that traditionally hamper risk assessments. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health research program emphasizes the validation of appropriate biologic markers and their application to high-priority Agency issues. The rationale for EPA's biomarker research program is presented, and future research directions are discussed. Exposure biomarkers will receive most of the research emphasis in the near term, particularly body burden indicators of exposure to high-priority chemicals, such as benzene, ozone, selected heavy metals, and organophosphate pesticides. Research on effects biomarkers will attempt to validate the relationship between the observed biological effects and adverse health consequences in humans, especially for cancer, pulmonary toxicity, immunotoxicity, and reproductive/developmental toxicity.

• OSTI ID: 7019219
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

552000 -- Public Health
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AROMATICS
BENZENE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
BODY BURDEN
DESIGN
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
FORECASTING
HUMAN POPULATIONS
HYDROCARBONS
INDICATORS
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PESTICIDES
POLLUTANTS
POPULATIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RISK ASSESSMENT
TESTING
TOXICITY
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
VALIDATION