Overview
For more than three decades, CDC's Division of Laboratory Sciences has produced data on the U.S. population's exposure. The data covers hundreds of environmental chemicals. Findings are published in peer-reviewed literature and in the National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals.
In 2009, CDC launched the State Biomonitoring Cooperative Agreement. The goal is to increase states' capability to conduct targeted and population-based biomonitoring. This biomonitoring assesses people's exposure to environmental chemicals in their communities.
Program information
The Division of Laboratory Sciences provides funding and support to states by training laboratory staff on analytical methods, data processing, and sample management. CDC program staff also provide technical support and quality assurance services to state public health laboratories and conduct site visits. CDC staff and funded state biomonitoring programs meet annually to share best practices and address broad technical issues.
When the program started in 2009, 33 states applied for funding. After an objective panel review, California, New York, and Washington received a total of $5 million annually. This award helped to support their state-based laboratory biomonitoring programs.
Supporting states across the country
In 2014, CDC received 20 applications for the subsequent five-year funding opportunity. An objective panel review led to California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Virginia, and Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico being selected.
In 2019, 17 applicants competed for funding. As in the previous two cycles, an objective review panel selected six awardees for funding:
Click on the map or the links above to learn more about the funded states and their programs.
National Biomonitoring Network
CDC, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and state public health laboratories together launched the National Biomonitoring Network. The program supports laboratories using biomonitoring in public health practice and in response to environmental emergencies. The network complements CDC's cooperative agreement efforts to expand state-based biomonitoring capabilities to assess exposures to local chemicals.
For more information, please visit APHL's NBN web page