Biological Monitoring Guidance Values

HSE have introduced Biological Monitoring Guidance Values (BMGVs) into their Guidance Note EH40 - 'Occupational Exposure Limits'.  These values can be used to help interpret biological monitoring results in terms of exposure.  Each value has an information sheet outlining the monitoring method and other details.

Click below to access these information sheets.

Butanone (MEK) - urine

Butoxyethanol - urine

Carbon Monoxide - breath

Chlorobenzene - urine

Chromium - urine

Cyclohexanone - urine

Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) - breath

Dimethylacetamide - urine

Glycerol trinitrate (Nitroglycerin) - urine

Isocyanates - urine

Lindane - plasma

MbOCA (2,2'-dichloro-4,4'-methylenedianiline) - urine

Mercury - urine

4-Methylpentan-2-one (MIBK) - urine

4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA) - urine

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) - urine

Xylene - urine

In addition to these, we also use other sources to help interpret results including BEIs from ACGIH in the United States and BATs from DFG in Germany. The EU also recommends biological monitoring guidance values through its Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL).  These are either BLVs (health-based guidance values) or BGVs (population reference ranges), depending on the available data.  The current list is available here. ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment has also adopted opinions on several substances including acrylamide, arsenic, benzene, MbOCA and nickel.