On 29 May 2026, Rīga Stradiņš University, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Human Biomonitoring Council of Latvia, will host the international conference 'Human Biomonitoring as a Public Health Instrument: from Science to Policy Decisions.' We expect engaging scientific discussions and the exchange of new ideas focused on the role of human biomonitoring in public health, the interpretation of scientific evidence, and its translation into evidence-based policy at national and European levels.

This conference welcomes national and international policymakers, researchers, and scientists, alongside professionals in public, environmental, and occupational health. We also invite representatives from national authorities, laboratories, and research institutions, as well as doctoral students and early-career researchers looking to contribute to the evolving landscape of chemical safety and exposure science.

Registration

Focus

The conference will focus on the role of human biomonitoring in public health, the interpretation of scientific evidence, and its translation into evidence-based policy at national and European levels. It will provide a platform for exchanging experience, discussing results from Latvia in an international context, and strengthening cooperation between science and policy.

Target audience

• National and international policy makers
• National and international researchers and scientists
• Public health, environmental and occupational health professionals
• Representatives of national authorities, laboratories and research institutions
• Doctoral students and early-career researchers

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

* The agenda is in Eastern European Time, which is one hour ahead of Central European Time.

Participation is free of charge.

The conference is organised within the framework of the project Development of the Human Biomonitoring Programme for Latvia (HBM4LV) (Project/Agreement No. VPP-VM-Sabiedrības_Veselība-2023/4-0001).