Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
As presented already by (Markert et al.
2008
) Fig.
6.2
represents one proposal
of a complete dynamics of an environmental monitoring system supported by bio-
indication to integrate human- and ecotoxicological approaches. It can recombine
its measurement parameters according to the particular system to be monitored or
the scientific frame of reference. The two main subjects of investigation—man and
the environment—and the disciplines human toxicology and ecotoxicology derived
from them are associated with various “toolboxes” and sets of tests (“tools”, e.g.
bioassays) for integrated environmental monitoring (Markert
2003b
). The system
shown in Fig.
6.2
consists of six toolboxes. The first two are derived mainly from
environmental research: DAT (for data) and TRE (for trend). DAT contains, as a
set, all the data available from the (eco-)system under investigation, i.e. including
data acquired by purely instrumental means, e.g. from meteorological devices. DAT
also contains maximum permissible concentrations of substances in drinking water,
food or air at the workplace and the data for the relevant ADI (“acceptable daily in-
take”) and NO(A)EL (“no observed (adverse) effect level”). The toolbox TRE con-
tains data on trends; these have been compiled mainly from years of investigations
by national environmental sample banks, or information available from long-term
national and international studies (e.g. Ellenberg et al.
1986
). Specific conclusions
and trend forecasts can then be prepared using the subsequent toolboxes HSB (hu-
man specimen banking) and ESB (environmental specimen banking). The toolbox
MED (medicine) contains all methods usually employed in haematological and
chemical clinical investigations of subchronic and chronic toxicity, whereas ECO
is largely made up of all the bioindicative testing systems and monitors relevant to
ecosystems which may be combined to suit a particular situation to be monitored
(Markert et al.
2003b
).
By relating data from all the toolboxes with some network, it must be achieved
to assess average health risks to certain parts of the population or at least upper lim-
its of future risks posed by pollutants (Ellenberg et al.
1986
). For this kind of risk
assessment, all the information on kinds of effects, dose-effect relationships, and
toxicological limits derived there from by present level of scientific knowledge are
combined and used (WHO
1996
). Although toxicological experiments on humans
would be unethical, corresponding data pertinent to toxic risks can be obtained from
workplace experiences and cases of accidental, homicidal or suicidal poisoning. For
both statistical reasons and evaluation of sub-acute-dose effects which might yet
bring about diseases, results of epidemiological surveys which compare exposed to
control groups must be added. Recent information technology allows for develop-
ment and use of simulation models which integrate all these data, integrating a large
number of parameters which are not directly linked to each other.
As the way how the MMBC combines functional and integrated windows for
prophylactic healthcare was outlined in more detail before, we refer to the cor-
responding literature rather than repeating matters here (Markert et al.
2003b
). An
integration of data on ecological quality and human health takes knowledge of the
sites, methods and locations where and how the data were obtained, producing
metadata upon superposition of these pieces of information. By combination of such
metadata with geostatistical information including and using GIS techniques, some
