International Conference 'Human Biomonitoring as a Public Health Instrument: From Science to Policy Decisions'
Online @ Zoom / Teterevs Hall, RSU Medical Technology Education Centre, 26A Anniņmuižas bulvāris, Rīga
29 May 2026
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, organised an international conference dedicated to the role of human biomonitoring in public health and evidence-based decision-making.
The conference was 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 were presented and discussed in a broader European context. The event provided a platform for discussions between researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders, fostering the effective use of scientific evidence in policymaking.
Conference Programme
The programme was 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 included panel discussions addressing regional cooperation and the role of human biomonitoring data in the development of public health policy.
Presentations
Key Speakers
