Élaboration des valeurs biologiques françaises en vue de la mise à disposition de valeurs biologiques d'interprétation pour la surveillance biologique des expositions professionnelles

Adequate interpretation of biomonitoring results of occupational exposures to chemicals requires comparison values also referred to as biological interpretation values. Among these values are those derived in France by Anses, which are based on a structured approach led collectively by independent and multidisciplinary groups of scientific experts. Two types of occupational biological values are recommended by Anses: biological limit values and biological reference values. These values are derived from the data available in the scientific literature. The article first shows that the derivation by Anses of the biological values to be used for biomonitoring of occupational exposures is linked to the nature of the chemical examined. Depending upon whether the substance is a threshold or non-threshold toxicant, such as genotoxic carcinogens, the approach will be different. Next, some specific examples are presented (cadmium, styrene, 2-butoxyethanol and acrylamide) to help occupational physicians with the informed interpretation of biomonitoring results collected in workplaces.