Biomarkers Research and Application in the Assessment of Environmental Health

Biological markers used to assess the effects of environmental pollution have attracted considerable attention from regulatory agencies and are currently under evaluation at a number of research facilities throughout the world. However promising a biomarker-based biomonitoring approach may be, the development of this concept is complicated by a range of technical issues. This book provides a conceptional framework for research and application of biomarkers. International experts on biomonitoring have formulated a unified strategy for the development and validation of biomarkers in assessing environmental health as well as appropriate protocols for their implementation and interpretation in a biological monitoring program.

1. Applications and Objectives of Biomarker Research.- 1.1. Introduction.- 1.2. Definitions.- 1.3. Objectives of Biomarker Programs.- 1.4. Applications of Biomarker Programs.- 1.5. Rationale for the use of Biomarkers.- 1.6. Current Limitations in the use of Biomarkers.- 1.7. Future of Biomarkers in Environmental Assessment.- 1.8. Literature Cited.- 2. The Conceptual Basis of the Biomarker Approach.- 2.1. Introduction.- 2.2. Dose-Response Relationships.- 2.3. Physiological Alterations as a Basis for Biomarkers.- 2.4. Considerations in the use of Biomarkers.- 2.5. Future Prospects.- 2.6. Literature Cited.- 3. Implementation of Biomarker-Based Studies.- 3.1. Introduction.- 3.2. Selection and Characterization of Study Sites.- 3.3. Selection of Species.- 3.4. Biomarker Selection.- 3.5. Sampling Methodology.- 3.6. Analysis.- 3.7. Summary.- 3.8. Literature Cited.- 4. Interpretation of Biomarker Responses.- 4.1. Introduction.- 4.2. Biological Interpretation of Biomarkers.- 4.3. Statistical and Mathematical Techniques for Interpretation.- 4.4. Societal Interpretations.- 4.5. Literature Cited.- 5. Development and Validation of Biomarkers.- 5.1. Introduction.- 5.2. The Ideal Biomarker.- 5.3. Development of new Biomarkers.- 5.4. Validation.- 5.5. Literature Cited.- 6. Conceptual Strategy for Development and Application of a Biomarker-Based Biomonitoring Program.- 6.1. Definition of Study Objectives.- 6.2. General Elements of a Biomarker-Based Biomonitoring Study.- 6.3. Tailoring Study Design for Specific Objectives.- 6.4. Development of Biomarkers: Laboratory and Field Studies.- 6.5. Literature Cited.