The biomonitoring of the selected biomarkers in the Czech population within the scope of the joined projects COPHES and DEMOCOPHES

Human biomonitoring represents today an important tool for the monitoring of the human beings exposition to the environmental pollutants. COPHES and DEMOICOPHES projects are address to harmonized approach to human biomonitoring within Europe. This process enables receiving comparable data on the international level. Four biomarkers (mercury, cadmium, kotinin and phthalate metabolites) were selected for this pilot study; all of them are extensively monitored at present. 27 European states at all participated in these projects and procedures were tested in 16 countries of the European Union and the Switzerland. Two localities different in the population density - Prague and Liberec were selected for the Czech Republic. Children of age 6 - 11 and their mothers were selected as the sensitive population groups. Samples of biological material (hair and urine) were taken from the representative individuals. 120 pairs of mother - child were involved in the study. Information about participant's alimentation and life style, inhabitation, education, and smoking habits was gained in questioners. Obtained information was joined with results of analyses of biological material and was evaluated statistically. It was found from results that recorded levels of monitored biomarkers do not exceed substantial healthy limits..