Human Biomonitoring (HBM) is a key method for investigating the chemical exposure of people and to inform both decision makers and citizens about the exposures to hazardous chemicals, their sources and the most effective protective measures. The first human biomonitoring studies date back to the 80s in Hungary. Blood lead levels were investigated before and after phasing out of lead from gasoline in Hungary. The detailed studies included, among others, the investigation of the link between lead exposure and neurodevelopmental effects.
Hungary was one of the partner countries involved in the COPHES („COnsortium to Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale”, 2009-2012) and DEMOCOPHES („DEMOnstration of a study to COPHES” 2010-2012) projects. In the frame of the DEMOCOPHES study, the National Public Health Center (NPHC) provided data for biological samples of 120-120 mother-child pairs (concentrations of cadmium, cotinine, and a number of phthalate metabolites in the urine samples and mercury in hair samples) combined with questionnaire data on possible sources.
The NPHC participated in the HBM4EU project (together with 28 European countries) between 2018 and 2022, which aimed (i) to identify the priority compounds; (ii) to develop harmonized human biomonitoring methods for these chemicals; (iii) to carry out surveys among the European population, and (iv) to support the work of decision makers. The project focused on several endocrine disrupting chemicals. In Hungary, 276 elementary school children were surveyed for exposure sources and their urine samples were collected to provide data on concentrations of iodine, metals, phthalate and DINCH metabolites. Hungary was participated in the Survey on PEstiCIde Mixtures in Europe (SPECIMEn). In total, 200 children–parent pairs were included in the study to evaluate the exposure of the population to pesticide mixtures. Two experts of NPHC were nominated as chemical group leaders on lead and they significantly contributed the development of new materials on lead.
In the PARC (European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals) project started in 2021, the NPHC has several tasks: as task co-leader contributes to mapping of the existing knowledge gaps, requests, suggestions and expertise within the participating national hubs; also as a task co-leader contributes to communication strategy, website and social media management, preparation of communication materials and implementing citizen surveys; participates in development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for predicting chemical compounds involved in respiratory sensitization; contributes to the construction of an Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) for sensitization of the respiratory tract by chemicals; participates in identifying relevant effect markers for respiratory sensitisation; as well as participates in human biomonitoring studies among children.