Aligning environmental measurement networks and measurement strategies with the biomonitoring programme

Belgium is one of the most urbanised countries in the world. It has 15 urban areas with at least 80,000 inhabitants, accounting for some 53% of the total population. These urban areas are mainly located in the northern part of the country (http://www.diplomatie.be/nl/belgium/belgiumdetail.asp?textID=1596=1596). Flanders is a densely populated area (averaging 439 inhabitants/km² in 2005) with a high degree of industrialisation and a dense road network. All these factors put great pressure on the environment and on the population. Air quality in particular is an important issue in Flanders. Ozone and particulate matter (PM10) threshold exceedences ensure that attention is paid to this environmental compartment. Environmental monitoring in the air is mainly carried out by the Flemish Environment Agency. This monitoring network meets the minimum requirements regarding density and representativeness imposed by the EU (framework directive on air (96/62/EC)). The data obtained are important to give an idea of the possible exposure of the population. However, the actual exposure depends mainly on the amount of pollutants that are actually absorbed by humans. In addition, environmental monitoring networks are designed for, and only financially and practically feasible if they mainly monitor sites of high environmental pressure, so-called 'hotspots' (industrial areas, specific companies, etc.). Measuring everywhere is therefore impossible, and modelling can offer a solution to complete the area coverage of the measurement data. Humane biomonitoring (measuring in humans) also complements existing monitoring networks. It provides information on the actual exposure (via exposure markers) and health effect (via health effect markers) in the human environment (recommendations from the Social Policy Memorandum Environment and Health, ad hoc Committee Environment and Health, 1999). Biomonitoring is part of the exposure assessment of the population and is gradually being integrated into the classic exposure assessment, which is based on compartmental measurements/modelled values and integrates these into exposure models (see "Evaluation of exposure to PAHs - Inventory study (2004-2006)" carried out by VITOUGent on behalf of the Department of Environment, Nature & Energy (LNE), Department of Environment & Health).

Publication year:2007

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