At the invitation of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), a round-table discussion was held on 9 and 10 March 2000, dealing with future possibilities for biomonitoring in occupational and environmental medicine. Biomonitoring has reached a high standard in Germany over the past 30 years, not least due to the fact that the results of the Senate commission on materials hazardous to health at the workplace have been directly implemented as part of the jurisdiction relating to occupational safety.

This book combines the expertise gathered from various areas within toxicology, occupational medicine, immunology and human genetics, right up to analysis and epidemiology. Throughout, the focus is on comprehensively determining the diagnostic validity of cytogenetic parameters as well as biochemical and biological effect markers for the prevention of illnesses resulting from harmful substances.

Thus, the discussion allowed an initial exchange of ideas, pointing to future research, so as to maintain Germany's leading role in this important and rapidly expanding field.

"...provides an excellent tutorial on the use of biological monitoring in occupational and environmental medicine...should be read by everyone involved with exposure analysis." - Chemical Chemistry