title: Foreword: Biomonitoring Equivalents special issue.
abstract: The challenge of interpreting results of biomonitoring for environmental chemicals in humans is highlighted in this Foreword to the Biomonitoring Equivalents (BEs) special issue of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. There is a pressing need to develop risk-based tools in order to empower scientists and health professionals to interpret and communicate the significance of human biomonitoring data. The BE approach, which integrates dosimetry and risk assessment methods, represents an important advancement on the path toward achieving this objective. The articles in this issue, developed as a result of an expert panel meeting, present guidelines for derivation of BEs, guidelines for communication using BEs and several case studies illustrating application of the BE approach for specific substances.
authors.affiliation: R. Samuel McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Meek
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sonawane
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D015262:Xenobiotics