How is metal exposure assessed in epidemiological studies?
Assessing metal exposure in epidemiological studies often involves measuring metal concentrations in biological samples such as blood, urine, hair, or nails. Environmental samples such as water, soil, and air are also analyzed to estimate exposure levels. Biomonitoring is a crucial tool in this context, as it provides direct evidence of internal dose and helps in understanding the dose-response relationship between metal exposure and health outcomes.