California Biomonitoring Program

The California Environmental Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (CECBP), the first state level biomonitoring program, was authorized by Senate Bill No. 1379  and signed into law in 2006 (Health and Safety Code Sections 105440-105444). The Program will determine baseline levels of environmental contaminants in a representative sample of Californians, establish time trends in chemical levels, and assess the effectiveness of current regulatory programs.

CECBP is a collaborative effort between the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), and the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Within CDPH, the Environmental Health Investigation Branch coordinates administration of the program, survey design, and participant recruiting. The Environmental Health Laboratory Branch will analyze specimens for toxic metals and the more rapidly metabolized (non-persistent) organic contaminants.