Biomonitoring California, also known as the California Environmental Contaminant Biomonitoring Program1 was authorized by the State Legislature and became law2 in 2006. Biomonitoring California collects biological specimens, such as blood and urine, from California residents and analyzes them for the presence of environmental chemicals. Portions of the biological samples are being stored for future analysis by Biomonitoring California, universities, and other researchers.
The goals of Biomonitoring California are to:
- Determine levels of environmental chemicals in a representative sample of Californians;
- Establish trends in the levels of these chemicals over time; and
- Help assess the effectiveness of public health efforts and regulatory programs to reduce exposures of Californians to specific chemicals.
Biomonitoring California strives to ensure that Program materials are understandable and sensitive to the diverse needs of Californians. Opportunities for the public to offer input and advice on Program design and implementation are provided through workshops, meetings, surveys, and other methods. The Program takes into account suggestions from the public, including, for example, which chemicals to measure. Biomonitoring California also receives expert technical advice on Program design and implementation from a Scientific Guidance Panel.
1Codified at Health and Safety Code section 105440 et seq.
