BIOLOGICAL

MONITORING
John Lexus M. Calma
 What is Biological Monitoring?

• Biological monitoring is a way of assessing

chemical exposures by measuring the
chemical or its breakdown products in a
biological sample (usually urine, blood or
breath).

• Biological monitoring is particularly useful

where chemicals can be significantly absorbed
through the skin and where controls rely upon
the use of personal protective equipment, such
as gloves and masks.
 Biological Monitoring Techniques

Biological Monitoring techniques should be:

• Highly sensitive
• Specific in their ability to detect effects at an early and
reversible stage.
• Safe.
• Preferably non-invasive and acceptable to the
employee.
• Cost is also a consideration.
• Results of biological monitoring should lead to some
action of benefit to the health of employees/test
subjects.
Types of Biological Monitoring

Blood
- Full blood count and haemoglobin - lead,
benzene, alcohol, work in the tropics
- Serum (deep frozen) - baseline antibody
levels in pathogen exposure
- Liver function tests - alcohol, hepatotoxic
chemicals
- Renal function tests - kidney toxins
- Toxin levels - e.g. lead
- Metabolite levels - e.g. ALA.
Types of Biological Monitoring

Urine
- Cells (exfoliate cytology) - bladder cancer
- Level of toxin e.g. mercury
- Level of metabolite eg TCA (tricarboxylic acid)
- Protein (especially kidney damage)
- Bile (jaundice)
- Sugar (diabetes) - relevant to shift work,
public service vehicle (PSV) driving

Breath
- Dichloromethane and carbon monoxide
exposure
Types of Biological Monitoring

Skin
- Appearance
- Prick testing

Vision
- Acuity tests e.g. lorry drivers, pilots etc.
- Colour blindness tests e.g. civil aviation,
railways, microscopy.

X-rays
- Chest x-rays are useful for conditions such as
infection
- Pneumoconiosis chest x-rays
Types of Biological Monitoring

Neurological Tests
- Mental function
- Nerve transmission
- Handwriting tests (detects early tremors)

Audiometry
- The lowest intensity of hearing

Lung Function Tests

- Lung Volume
- Airways Resistance
 Why do Biological Monitoring?

• to ensure that current or past exposure of a

person to chemicals is not harmful to
his/her health by detecting potential
excessive exposure before overt adverse
health effects occur.
HYDROGEOLOGICAL
MONITORING
John Lexus M. Calma
 What is Hydrogeological Monitoring?

• Hydrogeology (hydro- meaning water, and -

geology meaning the study of the Earth) is the
area of geology that deals with the distribution
and movement of groundwater in the soil
and rocks of the Earth's crust.
• The main concerns in groundwater monitoring
include groundwater contamination,
conservation of supplies, and water quality as
wells as groundwater movement and design of
wells, pumps, and drains.
 Hydrogeological Monitoring Techniques

• Can’t “see” groundwater so a lot more is done

by inference and interpretation than for
surface water
• Site investigation
• Conceptual model of geological environment and
the flow system through it
• Field measurements (bore holes, pump tests,
geophysics)
• Hydrogeologic simulation model (e.g. Modflow)
 Basic Types of
Hydrogeological Monitoring

• Ambient monitoring involves collection of

background water quality data for specific
aquifers as a way to detect and evaluate
changes in water quality.

• Source monitoring is performed in an area

surrounding a specific, actual, or potential
source of contamination such as a landfill or spill
site.
 Basic Types of
Hydrogeological Monitoring

• Enforcement monitoring systems are

installed at the direction of regulatory agencies
to determine or confirm the origin and
concentration gradients of contaminants relative
to regulatory compliance.

• Research monitoring wells are installed for

detection and assessment of cause and effect
relationships between groundwater quality and
specific land use activities.
 Basic Types of
Hydrogeological Monitoring

• Flow monitoring

2002 2003 2004

 Why do Hydrogeological Monitoring?

• Monitor the long term sustainability of an aquifer

as a safe and stable water supply and adjust
appropriate policies accordingly.
• Identify subsurface contaminants, estimate the
speed and direction of the contamination flow and
narrow down the contamination sources.
• Manage groundwater levels and prevent damage
by salt water intrusion, drought or flooding.
• Adapt to climate change. The groundwater
monitoring network will enable water boards and
municipalities to timely issue drought or flood
warnings and take appropriate mitigation
measures.