TABLE II.

Limitations of Biomonitoring in Emergency Response

Limitations
Difficulty in interpreting exposure levels in terms of human risk
Absence of standards or reference values to evaluate risk
Biomonitoring methods may not be available
Difficulty in attributing exposures to the event because of confounding from nonevent exposures
Difficulty in communicating risk and uncertainties in the results
Complications from political pressures arising during a response
Delays related to approvals needed to conduct biomonitoring
Logistical difficulties in the disaster environment
Interference with life-saving activities or other critical response actions