Results from Biomonitoring in 5 Repeated German HBM Surveys—The German Environmental Surveys (GerES)

Abstract

ISEE-0301 Background and Objectives: The German Environmental Surveys (GerES) are large scale population studies, repeatedly been carried out since the mid-1980s. GerES I (1985/1986), GerES IIa/b (1990/92, West/East Germany), and GerES III (1998, reunified Germany) focussed mainly on adults, GerES IV (2003/06, incl. pilot study) exclusively on children. Objectives were to evaluate the body burden of pollutants in representative samples of the general population, to evaluate contributions of different pathways (air, water, food), and to link HBM, if possible, to toxicological or health data. GerES is part of a health-related environmental surveillance system and was conducted in close co-operation with the National Health Interview and Examination Surveys of the Robert Koch Institute. Methods: Participants were representatively chosen with regard to age, gender and community size. Main instruments used were human biomonitoring, ambient monitoring, and standardized interviews. Results: HBM has been used and applied to health policy in Germany for several purposes. Examples are: Identification of exposure pathways (phthalates, PAH, metals). Development of strategies to prevent and reduce exposure (ban of PCP/other persistent biocides in wood preservatives or lead in fuel). Evaluate success of regulation and policy-measures by time-trend analyses (metals, biocides, PBT/vPvB, adjustment of exposure after German reunification). Support of environmental medicine by providing statistically derived reference values and epidemiologically/toxicologically founded HBM-values. Recommend cautious use of amalgam fillings due to precautionary health reasons. Improvement of the German Drinking Water Ordinance after GerES revealed exposure to metals via drinking water. Conclusions: HBM serves as a scientific basis for the preparation of reasonable interventions to reduce exposure and to improve the quality of indoor air, drinking water and food. Acknowledgements: We thank all GerES participants and their parents and gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Federal Ministries for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and of Education and Research.