Biomonitoring and Environmental Public Health Tracking: Making the Link

Abstract

Background: The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network (Tracking Network) is a web-based information system of standardized health and environmental data established in 23 states and New York City. State and national partners work together with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide data that informs public health action, and furthers our understanding of the impacts of environmental contaminants on public health. The Tracking Program’s Biomonitoring Task Force is assessing state/community-level biomonitoring data for use on the Tracking Network. Methods: In 2012, we evaluated information provided by funded Tracking states to assess available biomonitoring data maintained in state and local agencies from projects or program activities completed over the past 10 years. Data were assessed in 5 categories: mandatory reports (under state law), population-based surveillance, targeted investigations, support of academic research, and rapid response. Results: Results showed that 13 of 21 Tracking states collect mandatory reports of exposure (poisonings) for one or more chemicals (in addition to children’s blood lead), most commonly for metals. Population-based statewide surveillance data are currently available in 5 states, 4 of these with sample sizes exceeding 1,000 participants and 93% funded by federal grants. Most available data are from targeted investigations with sample size less than 500, using non-probability based sampling designs. Seventy percent of these targeted investigations relied on state public health laboratories for analyses. Conclusions: While most Tracking states have limited data available, many have established laboratory and epidemiological capacity for biomonitoring. Biomonitoring in state and local public health agencies has demonstrated utility for tracking vulnerable community exposures and disparities that can supplement data collected in large national surveys for informing local public health action.