QEHSHealth
Biological monitoring
The measurement of a chemical, its metabolite, or a biochemical effect in a worker's biological sample (blood, urine, breath).
Biological monitoring assesses worker exposure by measuring the chemical agent or its metabolites in biological specimens. It complements air sampling by capturing all routes of exposure (inhalation, dermal, ingestion) and accounting for individual factors like metabolism and workload. Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) published by ACGIH provide reference values. Common applications include blood lead monitoring, urinary mercury, and breath sampling for volatile organic compounds.