Biological Monitoring Services in Australia
Biological monitoring measures the concentration of chemicals or their metabolites in blood, urine, or exhaled breath to assess the total absorbed dose from all routes of exposure: inhalation, dermal, and ingestion. This complements air monitoring by capturing the actual body burden rather than just airborne concentration.
Common biomarkers include urinary metabolites for solvents (hippuric acid for toluene, methylhippuric acid for xylene), blood lead levels, urinary chromium and nickel for stainless steel welders, and cholinesterase activity for organophosphate-exposed workers.
OHConnect biological monitoring practitioners coordinate sample collection, chain of custody, and NATA-accredited laboratory analysis, interpreting results against Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) and ACGIH guidelines.
When You Need This Service
- →Workers handle chemicals with significant dermal absorption (e.g. lead, solvents, isocyanates)
- →Air monitoring alone may underestimate total exposure due to skin contact
- →Health surveillance regulations require biological monitoring (e.g. lead, organophosphates)
- →Post-incident exposure assessment is needed after a chemical spill or release
- →Baseline and periodic monitoring is required under a health management plan
- →Return-to-work assessment following chemical overexposure
Applicable Standards
Related Contaminants
Common Industries
Need biological monitoring services?
Post your project on OHConnect and receive proposals from qualified, insured occupational hygienists with biological monitoring experience.
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