Health-related priorities in chemical safety – focus on human biomonitoring and poison centres: 12–13 October 2022, Bonn, Germany: meeting report

Overview

Prevention or minimization of negative impacts on human health from exposure to hazardous products is a priority for sound management of chemicals. To address health-related aspects of chemical safety, the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health convened a meeting on 12–13 October 2022 in Bonn, Germany. The meeting focused on identification of key steps and the support needed to accelerate use of human biomonitoring in chemical exposure and risk assessment, and on strengthening health sector institutional arrangements –in particular, poison centres. The latest knowledge and good practices, successful experiences and support for planning national and regional action were presented. Expectations in terms of further assistance from WHO, especially in development of national policies and provision of technical assistance, were also discussed at the meeting. This report summarizes the main outcomes of the meeting and further actions towards creation of national human biomonitoring programmes and establishment or strengthening of poison centres.