About the Biomonitoring Data Tables

Overview

The biomonitoring data tables for environmental chemicals can be accessed using the online interface and are organized into five sections:

• Analysis of Whole Blood, Serum, and Urine Samples, NHANES 1999-2018 provides data for chemicals measured in individual samples from the general U.S. population from NHANES 1999–2000, 2001–2002, 2003–2004, 2005–2006, 2007–2008, 2009–2010, 2011-2012, 2013–2014, 2015-2016, and 2017-2018.
• Analysis of Pooled Serum Samples for Select Chemicals, NHANES 2005-2016 provides data for chemicals measured in pooled samples from NHANES 2005–2006, 2007–2008, 2009–2010, 2011-2012, 2013–2014, and 2015-2016. Some of these chemicals were previously measured in individual samples from the general U.S. population; these data can be found in the section above.
• Analysis of Chemicals Found in Cigarette Smoke in a Special Sample of U.S. Adults, NHANES 2011-2016 provides data for a sample of adult cigarette smokers and nonsmokers from NHANES 2011-2012, 2013–2014, and 2015-2016. The Special Sample was created to determine the effectiveness of tobacco product standards under The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. Of note, the age for eligibility in the Special Sample decreased from 20 years and older in NHANES 2011–2012 to 18 years and older in NHANES 2013–2014 and 2015–2016 (NHANES lowered the age for asking the smoking questions in 2013).
• Analysis of Whole Blood, Serum, and Urine Samples, NHANES 2017–March 2020 (Pre–COVID-19 Pandemic Sample) provides data for chemicals measured in individual samples from the general U.S. population for a combined 3-year period spanning NHANES 2017–2018 and partial 2019–March 2020 data. These data were constructed using special weighting procedures to account for incomplete field operations and differences in sample design, and must be analyzed using the combined pre-pandemic survey weights to produce nationally representative estimates for the period immediately preceding the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Analysis of Whole Blood, Serum, and Urine Samples, NHANES August 2021–August 2023 (Post–COVID-19 Pandemic Sample) provides data for chemicals measured in individual samples from the general U.S. population following the resumption of NHANES field operations after the COVID-19 pandemic pause. These data reflect a redesigned sample approach, updated data collection procedures, and the introduction of new weighting methodologies, including phlebotomy weights for blood-based analytes, and support nationally representative estimates while requiring careful consideration of methodological changes when interpreting biomonitoring results.

The table titles include the survey periods for which data are displayed in that table. Of note, not all chemicals have data for all survey cycles.

The National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals website lists updates to the available data tables. It also includes the document, "Chemicals in CDC's National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals," which is a complete list of the chemicals in the National Exposure Report.