Brief Description: Authorizing a biomonitoring program.

Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Campbell, Wood, Chase, Morrell, Hunt, McCoy and Kenney.

Hearing Date: 2/1/07

Staff: Brad Avy (786-7289).

Background:

"Biomonitoring" describes measuring environmental chemicals in people by analyzing blood, urine, and breast milk samples for pollutants, synthetic chemicals, and industrial compounds. It may indicate trends in chemical exposures, identify disproportionately affected and vulnerable population groups, and link exposures and pollution-related disease.

Biomonitoring data is useful for understanding the links between environmental contamination and human exposure and potentially related diseases. Policymakers can use biomonitoring data to assess the effectiveness of regulations and to set priorities for regulatory action.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducts a national biomonitoring program. In recent years, CDC has also awarded grants to many states, including Washington, to plan state biomonitoring programs. With these funds, the DOH developed a biomonitoring plan in 2003. The plan identifies biomonitoring priorities concerning chemicals, environmental settings, and populations for monitoring. The plan has not been funded for implementation.

Summary of Bill:

The purpose of the bill is to authorize a biomonitoring program in Washington and to identify and secure a long-term funding source for implementing priorities identified for Washington state.

The DOH is required to conduct biomonitoring, in consultation with the Department of Ecology, local health jurisdictions, and other public health agencies, to assist public health agencies and policymakers in allocating resources to improve environmental public health.

The DOH must adopt guidelines and model protocols to guide state and local agencies conducting biomonitoring. The guidelines and model protocols shall address biomonitoring analytical methods, protection of human subject rights, and practices to ensure acknowledgement and respect of cultural differences. The DOH is required to establish a framework for interpretation and communication of biomonitoring data for assessing health impacts.

The DOH may include environmental chemicals in the biomonitoring program using criteria that includes seriousness of health effects, extent of exposure, expected health risks, and incremental analytical cost to perform the biomonitoring analysis for an additional chemical.

By December 1, 2007, the DOH is required to, in consultation with the Department of Ecology and local health jurisdictions, provide recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature for funding the biomonitoring program including recommendations for funding sources and cost sharing among federal, state, local, and nongovernmental entities.

The DOH's implementation recommendations shall include the objective of integrating with and complementing nationwide monitoring programs.

Appropriation: The sum of ninety thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the state toxics control account to the DOH for the purposes of this act.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 24, 2007.

Effective Date: Sections 2 and 3 of the bill take effect July 1, 2008. The remainder of the bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.