Laboratory analysis of harmful substances and their metabolites requires the use of state-of-the-art biomonitoring methods. Occupational and environmental monitoring of exposed persons helps diagnose occupational diseases and implement preventive measures in work environments exposed to hazardous substances. It plays a vital role in preventive medicine.
Biomonitoring provides specific and sensitive testing of personal exposure to harmful substances. The test methods available today enable quantification of many harmful substances such as metals, organic solvents and other substances in a variety of matrices (blood, serum, urine, saliva, etc.), including determination of very low, environmentally relevant concentrations. In addition, effect parameters (specific clinical and immunological laboratory parameters for evaluating acute and chronic exposure) can be measured to help assess the effect of harmful substances on an individual person.
