Biomarker. research in occupational health

Objectives: A variety of biomarkers have been used to study worker populations, and these studies have achieved different levels Of success in the improvement of occupational health. Methods: Successful application of biomarker research is dependent upon several important factors: ability to identify hazardous substances from the exposure to a variety of substances, relevance to the development of disease, and usefulness for health risk assessment. Results: Besides the traditional biomarkers for exposure, biological effects, and health risk, new biomarkers for susceptibility and genome-wide responses are being used to improve our understanding of occupational health at a higher and, perhaps, more precise level. Conclusions: In addition, there is a continued need to develop and apply biomarkers that can be used to provide real-time detection Of excessive exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, especially from unexpected fugitive emissions. These topics are discussed in the review.