Relevance and implementation of human biomonitoring to assess the chemical exposures following an industrial accident

BACKGROUND: After an industrial accident, workers at the site of the accident, as well as workers from nearby companies and responders (such as firefighters and police officers), and the surrounding population could be exposed to hazardous chemicals. In these situations, human biomonitoring measures are required by the population to assess the impact of the accident. However, HBM studies are usually conducted to assess the chronic exposure of chemicals for the general population, and no frame exists to apply these measures to such accidental context. OBJECTIVE: Following a major industrial fire that occurred in Normandy in 2019, Santé publique France established a framework for HBM measurements following an industrial accident, in order to assess the relevance of such measurements and give operational guidelines to carry out these measures, from the sampling to the interpretation of the measures, in support to policy makers and health professionals. METHODS: A bibliographic search on HBM protocols in case of accidents and HBM studies already implemented worldwide following an accident was conducted as well as numerous consultations covering scientific aspects, ethical and deontological considerations, and practical aspects of implementing an HBM protocol in the event of an accident. RESULTS: The HBM framework designed includes an initial HBM phase within 48 h following the end of emissions from the accident. Given the short deadlines for this first phase, it is advisable to target the most exposed and impacted individuals, that is, all persons (workers, occupants, emergency services, etc.) who were present on site during the industrial accident, as well as all individuals who visit a healthcare facility from the day of the accident until 48 h after the end of accidental emissions and for circumstances related to the accident. Sampling kits have to be quickly deployed in the event of an industrial accident requiring the implementation of HBM. Following this initial phase, medium- and long-term biological monitoring may be considered based on available information about the emitted chemicals and observed environmental contamination. IMPACT STATEMENT: The assessment of exposure to chemical substances through HBM after an accident requires the development of a standardized framework, particularly for chemicals with short half-lives. Exposure to chemical substances, after an accident, affects the general population residing near the accident site, as well as workers and emergency services.