title: Predictive value of human biomonitoring in environmental medicine: experiences at the outpatient unit of environmental medicine (UEM) of the University Hospital Aachen, Germany.
abstract: There is little data on the distribution of biomonitoring parameters in patients at outpatient Units of Environmental Medicine (UEM). We evaluated the biomonitoring parameters of 646 UEM outpatients from our University Hospital 1988-1998. Few patients were exposed to specific substances. Data of patients who were not obviously exposed was analysed statistically (geometric mean, standard deviation, median, 95th percentile). Results were compared with reference values in literature. Normal distribution of biomonitoring parameters was rare. 95th percentiles for arsenic, chromium, selenium, zinc, phenol and toluene were below standard, 95th percentiles for copper and mercury above, and 95th percentiles for lead, cadmium, pentachlorophenol, lindane, and beta-hexachlorocyclohexane were within the published range of reference values. Thallium as well as most volatile organic compounds analyzed were below detection levels. Aluminum and fluorine exposure was rarely analysed. In view of these results, it is concluded that the indication for biomonitoring needs to be stringent as levels of biomonitoring parameters are generally not risen in patients of the UEM.
authors.affiliation: Dermatological Clinic, University Hospital Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Straff
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: Nikolaus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jakobi
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weishoff-Houben
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dott
authors.forename: Gerhard Andreas
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Wiesmüller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010416:Pentachlorophenol / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014050:Toluene / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014050:Toluene; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D010416:Pentachlorophenol; C023888:beta-hexachlorocyclohexane