Why is biological monitoring significant in exposure assessment?

Biological monitoring is significant in exposure assessment because it provides direct measurement of substances or their metabolites within the body. This type of monitoring allows for an accurate assessment of how much of a substance has been absorbed or may affect an individual, giving insight into both the level of exposure and its potential health implications. By measuring these substances directly, health professionals and safety personnel can determine whether exposure levels exceed health guidelines and identify whether interventions are necessary.

This approach is especially valuable as it accounts for individual variability in metabolism and absorption rates, which can influence how different people respond to the same level of environmental exposure. In contrast, evaluating workplace designs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and training are useful in their own rights but do not provide the same level of direct insight into an individual's actual exposure to hazardous substances.