International Conference 'Human Biomonitoring as a Publ

People are exposed daily to a wide range of chemical substances present in the environment, consumer products, food, drinking water, and occupational settings. Human biomonitoring involves the analysis of biological samples (e.g. blood, hair, saliva, or urine) to determine the presence and levels of chemical substances in the human body. This approach enables a better understanding of the impact of chemical exposures on human health, supports the identification of associated risks, and contributes to improved chemical risk management.

To promote the use of scientific evidence in public health policymaking and to strengthen the development of human biomonitoring in Latvia, Rīga Stradiņš University, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia and the Human Biomonitoring Council of Latvia, is organising an international conference dedicated to the role of human biomonitoring in public health and evidence-based decision-making.

The conference is organised within the framework of the National Research Programme project Development of the Human Biomonitoring Programme for Latvia (HBM4LV) (VPP-VM-Sabiedrības veselība-2023/4-0001), aiming to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from science to policy planning and practical implementation. During the conference, results from the human biomonitoring study conducted in Latvia will be presented and discussed in a broader European context. The event will provide a platform for discussions between researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders, fostering the effective use of scientific evidence in policymaking.

Conference Programme

The programme is structured into three thematic sessions:

Yesterday – development of human biomonitoring in Latvia, historical context, prerequisites for the establishment of the HBM4LV study, and identification of priority substances at the national level;
Today – key findings from the Latvian study on pesticides, heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and other substances, as well as international experience in implementing human biomonitoring in Europe (Germany, Belgium, Ireland);
Tomorrow – future development directions, experiences from the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Estonia), recommendations for strengthening the human biomonitoring system in Latvia, and discussions on the use of data in policymaking from a global perspective.

The programme also includes panel discussions addressing regional cooperation and the role of human biomonitoring data in the development of public health policy.

Tentative agenda

Welcome
10:00–10:15*	Opening addresses Liene Ņikitina-Zaķe, Rīga Stradiņš University Dzintars Mozgis, Human Biomonitoring Council of Latvia
Session: Yesterday
10:00–10:25	Before HBM4LV: the historical background of human biomonitoring in Latvia and key activities of the project Ivars Vanadziņš, project leader, RSU
10:25–10:35	Identification of high-priority human biomonitoring substances in the Latvian context Lāsma Akūlova, Researcher, RSU
Session: Yesterday
10:35–10:55	Pesticides, metals, persistent organic compounds and other substances: project findings Inese Mārtiņsone, Leading researcher, RSU
10:55–11:10	Human biomonitoring in Europe: example from Germany Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Ruhr University Bochum, IPA
11:10–11:25	Human biomonitoring in Europe: example from the Flemish region Liese Gilles, Flemish Institute for Technological Research
11:25–11:45	Human biomonitoring in Europe: example from Ireland Alison Connolly, University College Dublin (online)
11:45–12:15	Break
Session: Tomorrow
12:15–12:30	Human biomonitoring in Baltic countries: example from Lithuania Loreta Strumylaitė, Principal investigator, senior researcher, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
12:30–12:45	Human biomonitoring in Baltic countries: example from Estonia Hans Orru, Professor of Environmental Health, University of Tartu
12:45–12:55	Key recommendations for advancing human biomonitoring in Latvia Ivars Vanadziņš, project leader, RSU
12:55–13:20	Panel 'Strengthening national human biomonitoring: a discussion with the Baltic countries' Moderator: Linda Matisāne, leading researcher, RSU Dzintars Mozgis (Latvia) Loreta Strumylaitė (Lithuania) Hans Orru (Estonia)
13:20–13:50	Panel 'Building bridges: the role of national data in advancing human biomonitoring from a global perspective' Moderator: Linda Matisāne, leading researcher, RSU Ivars Vanadziņš (Latvia) Marike Kolossa-Gehring (Germany) Alison Connolly (Ireland) Liese Gilles (Belgium)
13:50–14:00	Summary and closing remarks