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Mr. Bert Morrens
University of Antwerp, Belgium

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Environmental Justice
0 Participatory Approaches
0 Social Stratification
0 risk communication
0 Risk Perception

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Human biomonitoring
Environmental Justice
risk communication
Risk Perception

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Short Biography

My research focuses on the perception and assessment of environmental and health risks. Since 2006, I have been collaborating on several research projects to determine the integrated exposure of environmental pollutants in people's bodies with human biomonitoring. Within these interdisciplinary projects I pay attention to the social impact and meaning of human biomonitoring for participants, (local) stakeholders, scientists and policy makers. This is done by setting up local participatory procedures and inter- and transdisciplinary dialogue. Topics include risk communication, perception, ethics and policy translation. Throughout this 'boundary work' I am particulary interested in mechanisms of social vulnerability and exclusion, health inequalities and environmental justice.

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Journal article
Published: 22 May 2021 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Human biomonitoring (HBM) monitors levels of environmental pollutants in human samples, which often is a topic of concern for residents near industrially contaminated sites (ICSs). Around an ICS area in Menen (Belgium), including a (former) municipal waste incinerator and a metal recovery plant, increasing environmental concentrations of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were observed, causing growing concern among residents and authorities. The local community succeeded in convincing the responsible authorities to investigate the problem and offer research funding. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were measured in two consecutive HBM studies (2002–2006 and 2010–2011), in the context of the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS), as well as in soil and locally produced food. Meanwhile, local authorities discouraged consumption of locally produced food in a delineated area of higher exposure risk. Ultimately, HBM and environmental data enabled tailored dietary recommendations. This article demonstrates the usefulness of HBM in documenting the body burdens of residents near the ICS, identifying exposure routes, evaluating remediating actions and providing information for tailored policy strategies aiding to further exposure reduction. It also highlights the role of the local stakeholders as an example of community-based participatory research and how such an approach can create societal support for research and policy.

ACS Style

Ann Colles; Dries Coertjens; Bert Morrens; Elly Den Hond; Melissa Paulussen; Liesbeth Bruckers; Eva Govarts; Adrian Covaci; Gudrun Koppen; Kim Croes; Vera Nelen; Nicolas Van Larebeke; Stefaan De Henauw; Tine Fierens; Griet Van Gestel; Hana Chovanova; Maja Mampaey; Karen Van Campenhout; Ilse Loots; Willy Baeyens; Greet Schoeters. Human Biomonitoring Data Enables Evidence-Informed Policy to Reduce Internal Exposure to Persistent Organic Compounds: A Case Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 5559 .

AMA Style

Ann Colles, Dries Coertjens, Bert Morrens, Elly Den Hond, Melissa Paulussen, Liesbeth Bruckers, Eva Govarts, Adrian Covaci, Gudrun Koppen, Kim Croes, Vera Nelen, Nicolas Van Larebeke, Stefaan De Henauw, Tine Fierens, Griet Van Gestel, Hana Chovanova, Maja Mampaey, Karen Van Campenhout, Ilse Loots, Willy Baeyens, Greet Schoeters. Human Biomonitoring Data Enables Evidence-Informed Policy to Reduce Internal Exposure to Persistent Organic Compounds: A Case Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (11):5559.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ann Colles; Dries Coertjens; Bert Morrens; Elly Den Hond; Melissa Paulussen; Liesbeth Bruckers; Eva Govarts; Adrian Covaci; Gudrun Koppen; Kim Croes; Vera Nelen; Nicolas Van Larebeke; Stefaan De Henauw; Tine Fierens; Griet Van Gestel; Hana Chovanova; Maja Mampaey; Karen Van Campenhout; Ilse Loots; Willy Baeyens; Greet Schoeters. 2021. "Human Biomonitoring Data Enables Evidence-Informed Policy to Reduce Internal Exposure to Persistent Organic Compounds: A Case Study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 11: 5559.

Communication
Published: 28 March 2021 in Toxics
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Communicating individual human biomonitoring results to study participants has been the subject of debate for some time. This debate is dominated by ethical considerations from a researchers’ perspective on whether or not to communicate, thereby overlooking more practice-based questions from a participants’ perspective on what and how to communicate. We conducted a small scale follow-up study based on eleven face-to-face interviews with mothers participating in the third cycle of the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS III 2012–2015) to investigate how they experienced and interpreted individual biomonitoring results. Key findings indicate that respondents were generally satisfied with participating in the biomonitoring study, but the report-back process especially lacked contextualized information and interactive communication options to better comprehend and cope with personal results. These findings also argue in favor of a more tailored approach in which report-back methods, formats and content are diversified according to the type of results and the preferences of participants. A reflexive research practice with active engagement in follow-up research is crucial to improve participants’ understanding and use of personal biomonitoring results.

ACS Style

Bert Morrens; Hans Jonker; Elly Den Hond; Dries Coertjens; Ann Colles; Greet Schoeters; Nicolas Van Larebeke; Tim Nawrot; Adrian Covaci; Vera Nelen; Frédéric Vandermoere; Ilse Loots. Participant Experiences in a Human Biomonitoring Study: Follow-Up Interviews with Participants of the Flemish Environment and Health Study. Toxics 2021, 9, 69 .

AMA Style

Bert Morrens, Hans Jonker, Elly Den Hond, Dries Coertjens, Ann Colles, Greet Schoeters, Nicolas Van Larebeke, Tim Nawrot, Adrian Covaci, Vera Nelen, Frédéric Vandermoere, Ilse Loots. Participant Experiences in a Human Biomonitoring Study: Follow-Up Interviews with Participants of the Flemish Environment and Health Study. Toxics. 2021; 9 (4):69.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bert Morrens; Hans Jonker; Elly Den Hond; Dries Coertjens; Ann Colles; Greet Schoeters; Nicolas Van Larebeke; Tim Nawrot; Adrian Covaci; Vera Nelen; Frédéric Vandermoere; Ilse Loots. 2021. "Participant Experiences in a Human Biomonitoring Study: Follow-Up Interviews with Participants of the Flemish Environment and Health Study." Toxics 9, no. 4: 69.

Meta analysis
Published: 11 December 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Research on the environment, health, and well-being nexus (EHWB) is shifting from a silo toward a systemic approach that includes the socio-economic context. To disentangle further the complex interplay between the socio-exposome and internal chemical exposure, we performed a meta-analysis of human biomonitoring (HBM) studies with internal exposure data on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and detailed information on risk factors, including descriptors of socio-economic status (SES) of the study population. PFASs are persistent in nature, and some have endocrine-disrupting properties. Individual studies have shown that HBM biomarker concentrations of PFASs generally increase with SES indicators, e.g., for income. Based on a meta-analysis (five studies) of the associations between PFASs and SES indicators, the magnitude of the association could be estimated. For the SES indicator income, changes in income were expressed by a factor change, which was corrected by the Gini coefficient to take into account the differences in income categories between studies, and the income range between countries. For the SES indicator education, we had to conclude that descriptors (

ACS Style

Jurgen Buekers; Ann Colles; Christa Cornelis; Bert Morrens; Eva Govarts; Greta Schoeters. Socio-Economic Status and Health: Evaluation of Human Biomonitored Chemical Exposure to Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances across Status. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 2818 .

AMA Style

Jurgen Buekers, Ann Colles, Christa Cornelis, Bert Morrens, Eva Govarts, Greta Schoeters. Socio-Economic Status and Health: Evaluation of Human Biomonitored Chemical Exposure to Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances across Status. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (12):2818.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jurgen Buekers; Ann Colles; Christa Cornelis; Bert Morrens; Eva Govarts; Greta Schoeters. 2018. "Socio-Economic Status and Health: Evaluation of Human Biomonitored Chemical Exposure to Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances across Status." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 12: 2818.

Journal article
Published: 19 May 2017 in Environmental Health
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Environmental justice research shows how socially disadvantaged groups are more exposed and more vulnerable to environmental pollution. At the same time, these groups are less represented and, thus, less visible in biomedical studies. This socioeconomic participation bias is a form of environmental injustice within research practice itself. We designed, implemented and evaluated a targeted recruitment strategy to enhance the participation of socially disadvantaged pregnant women in a human biomonitoring study in Belgium. We focused on women of Turkish and Moroccan descent and developed a setup using personal buddies that enabled information transfer about study conditions in the pre-parturition period as well as support and follow-up with questionnaires in the post-parturition period. We identified four barriers to the participation of women with a vulnerable social and ethnic background which were related to psychosocial and situational factors. Lack of trust in researchers and no perceived study benefits were important personal barriers; the complex study design and difficult self-administered questionnaires were equally significant barriers. By investing in direct, person-to-person contact with trusted buddies and supported by practical advice about cultural and linguistic sensitivity, it was possible to increase study participation of socially disadvantaged people. Above all, this required openness and flexibility in the mind-set of researchers so that study design and procedures could be better grounded in the experiences and circumstances of underprivileged groups.

ACS Style

Bert Morrens; Elly Den Hond; Greta Schoeters; Dries Coertjens; Ann Colles; Tim S. Nawrot; Willy Baeyens; Stefaan De Henauw; Vera Nelen; Ilse Loots. Human biomonitoring from an environmental justice perspective: supporting study participation of women of Turkish and Moroccan descent. Environmental Health 2017, 16, 48 .

AMA Style

Bert Morrens, Elly Den Hond, Greta Schoeters, Dries Coertjens, Ann Colles, Tim S. Nawrot, Willy Baeyens, Stefaan De Henauw, Vera Nelen, Ilse Loots. Human biomonitoring from an environmental justice perspective: supporting study participation of women of Turkish and Moroccan descent. Environmental Health. 2017; 16 (1):48.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bert Morrens; Elly Den Hond; Greta Schoeters; Dries Coertjens; Ann Colles; Tim S. Nawrot; Willy Baeyens; Stefaan De Henauw; Vera Nelen; Ilse Loots. 2017. "Human biomonitoring from an environmental justice perspective: supporting study participation of women of Turkish and Moroccan descent." Environmental Health 16, no. 1: 48.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2017 in International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
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ACS Style

Hans Reynders; Ann Colles; Bert Morrens; Maja Mampaey; Dries Coertjens; Gudrun Koppen; Greta Schoeters; Ilse Loots; Hana Chovanova; Wim Winderickx; Karen Van Campenhout. The added value of a surveillance human biomonitoring program: The case of FLEHS in Flanders (Belgium). International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 2017, 220, 46 -54.

AMA Style

Hans Reynders, Ann Colles, Bert Morrens, Maja Mampaey, Dries Coertjens, Gudrun Koppen, Greta Schoeters, Ilse Loots, Hana Chovanova, Wim Winderickx, Karen Van Campenhout. The added value of a surveillance human biomonitoring program: The case of FLEHS in Flanders (Belgium). International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2017; 220 (2):46-54.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hans Reynders; Ann Colles; Bert Morrens; Maja Mampaey; Dries Coertjens; Gudrun Koppen; Greta Schoeters; Ilse Loots; Hana Chovanova; Wim Winderickx; Karen Van Campenhout. 2017. "The added value of a surveillance human biomonitoring program: The case of FLEHS in Flanders (Belgium)." International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 220, no. 2: 46-54.

Journal article
Published: 18 June 2014 in Environment International
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In 2007, the second cycle of the Flemish human biomonitoring survey started, with a main focus on 14–15 year-old adolescents. The main objectives were generating reference values for exposure markers, determining the pollution pressure in industrial hotspots and establishing dose–effect relationships between exposure to pollutants and hormone levels, sexual development, asthma and allergy, genotoxic and hematological markers. Geometric means with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for a reference population of 200 14–15 year-old adolescents. Stepwise multiple regression analyses with correction for confounders and covariates were performed to establish dose–effect relationships. Geometric mean concentrations (with 95% CI) of 49.6 (45.7, 53.8), 70.8 (63.6, 78.8) and 8.34 (7.76, 8.97) ng g− 1 lipid for the sum of PCB 138, 153 and 180, p,p′-DDE and HCB were respectively 23%, 26% and 60% lower than those obtained five years earlier. Geometric mean concentrations of 108 (101, 114) and 32.1 (30.1, 34.2) pg CALUX-BEQ g− 1 lipid were observed for the PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs, respectively. Multiple dose–effect relationships were observed between POPs and several effect markers, including positive (boys) and negative (girls) associations with data on sexual development and positive associations with asthma, animal allergy and free thyroxine (boys and girls). Our findings suggest that chlorinated POP concentrations are decreasing over time and that even relatively low concentrations are associated with biological effects.

ACS Style

Kim Croes; Elly Den Hond; Liesbeth Bruckers; Ilse Loots; Bert Morrens; Vera Nelen; Ann Colles; Greet Schoeters; Isabelle Sioen; Adrian Covaci; Tara Vandermarken; Nicolas Van Larebeke; Willy Baeyens. Monitoring chlorinated persistent organic pollutants in adolescents in Flanders (Belgium): Concentrations, trends and dose–effect relationships (FLEHS II). Environment International 2014, 71, 20 -28.

AMA Style

Kim Croes, Elly Den Hond, Liesbeth Bruckers, Ilse Loots, Bert Morrens, Vera Nelen, Ann Colles, Greet Schoeters, Isabelle Sioen, Adrian Covaci, Tara Vandermarken, Nicolas Van Larebeke, Willy Baeyens. Monitoring chlorinated persistent organic pollutants in adolescents in Flanders (Belgium): Concentrations, trends and dose–effect relationships (FLEHS II). Environment International. 2014; 71 ():20-28.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kim Croes; Elly Den Hond; Liesbeth Bruckers; Ilse Loots; Bert Morrens; Vera Nelen; Ann Colles; Greet Schoeters; Isabelle Sioen; Adrian Covaci; Tara Vandermarken; Nicolas Van Larebeke; Willy Baeyens. 2014. "Monitoring chlorinated persistent organic pollutants in adolescents in Flanders (Belgium): Concentrations, trends and dose–effect relationships (FLEHS II)." Environment International 71, no. : 20-28.

Journal article
Published: 25 November 2011 in International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
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Environmental justice research suggests that inequalities in the distribution of environmental exposure to chemical pollution systematically disadvantage the lower social strata of society. The effects of these inequalities on the human exposure to pollution are however to a large extend unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess social gradients in human biomonitoring results of a representative sample of Flemish adolescents. We investigate the associations between individual socioeconomic status (SES), measured by parental educational attainments, and internal body concentration of seven chemical compounds in biological samples of 1642 adolescents aged 14–15 in Flanders (Belgium): PCBs, HCB, DDE, lead, cadmium, benzene and PAHs. Social gradients in average and high exposure to these biomarkers were examined with geometric means and odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals), using multiple regression models, controlling for covariates and confounders. Depending on the (type of) pollutant, adolescents with a lower SES either have higher or lower internal concentrations. Chlorinated compounds (PCBs and pesticides HCB and DDE) are positively associated with SES (higher exposures for higher SES), while heavy metals (lead and cadmium) are negatively associated (higher exposures for lower SES). For metabolites of organic compounds (benzene and PAHs) we find no association with SES. Socially constructed factors, such as dietary and lifestyle habits, play an important role in these relations. Our study suggests that the association between individual SES and the internal body concentration of exposure to environmental pollutants in Flemish adolescents is more complex than can be assumed on the basis of the environmental justice hypothesis.

ACS Style

Bert Morrens; Liesbeth Bruckers; Elly Den Hond; Vera Nelen; Greet Schoeters; Willy Baeyens; Nicolas Van Larebeke; Hans Keune; Maaike Bilau; Ilse Loots. Social distribution of internal exposure to environmental pollution in Flemish adolescents. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 2011, 215, 474 -481.

AMA Style

Bert Morrens, Liesbeth Bruckers, Elly Den Hond, Vera Nelen, Greet Schoeters, Willy Baeyens, Nicolas Van Larebeke, Hans Keune, Maaike Bilau, Ilse Loots. Social distribution of internal exposure to environmental pollution in Flemish adolescents. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2011; 215 (4):474-481.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bert Morrens; Liesbeth Bruckers; Elly Den Hond; Vera Nelen; Greet Schoeters; Willy Baeyens; Nicolas Van Larebeke; Hans Keune; Maaike Bilau; Ilse Loots. 2011. "Social distribution of internal exposure to environmental pollution in Flemish adolescents." International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 215, no. 4: 474-481.

Journal article
Published: 06 July 2010 in Environmental Health
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In order to select priority hotspots for environment and health research in Flanders (Belgium), an open procedure was organized. Environment and health hotspots are strong polluting point sources with possible health effects for residents living in the vicinity of the hot spot. The selection procedure was part of the work of the Flemish Centre of Expertise for Environment and Health, which investigates the relation between environmental pollution and human health. The project is funded and steered by the Flemish government. The involvement of other actors than merely experts is inspired by the 'analytical-deliberative' approach of the National Research Council in the United States and the extended peer community approach. These approaches stress the importance of involving different expert- and social perspectives in order to increase the knowledge base on complex issues. In the procedure used in the project a combination of expert and stakeholder input was essential. The final decision was supported by a multi-criteria analysis of expert assessment and stakeholder advice. The endeavour was challenging from the start because of the complicated ambition of including a diversity of actors, potential hotspots, concerns and assessment criteria, but nevertheless the procedure proved its value in both structuring and informing the decision-making process. Moreover the process gained the support of most actors participating in the process, even though the final selection could not satisfy all preferences. Opening the research agenda exemplifies the value of inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation as well as the need for a well-structured and negotiated procedure that combines relevant factors and actors with pragmatism. The value of such a process also needs to prove itself in practice after the procedure has been completed: the tension between an ambition of openness on the one hand and a more closed attitude amongst experts on the other will continue to play a role even after closure.

ACS Style

Hans Keune; Bert Morrens; Kim Croes; Ann Colles; Gudrun Koppen; Johan Springael; Ilse Loots; Karen Van Campenhout; Hana Chovanova; Greet Schoeters; Vera Nelen; Willy Baeyens; Nik Van Larebeke. Opening the research agenda for selection of hot spots for human biomonitoring research in Belgium: a participatory research project. Environmental Health 2010, 9, 33 -33.

AMA Style

Hans Keune, Bert Morrens, Kim Croes, Ann Colles, Gudrun Koppen, Johan Springael, Ilse Loots, Karen Van Campenhout, Hana Chovanova, Greet Schoeters, Vera Nelen, Willy Baeyens, Nik Van Larebeke. Opening the research agenda for selection of hot spots for human biomonitoring research in Belgium: a participatory research project. Environmental Health. 2010; 9 (1):33-33.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hans Keune; Bert Morrens; Kim Croes; Ann Colles; Gudrun Koppen; Johan Springael; Ilse Loots; Karen Van Campenhout; Hana Chovanova; Greet Schoeters; Vera Nelen; Willy Baeyens; Nik Van Larebeke. 2010. "Opening the research agenda for selection of hot spots for human biomonitoring research in Belgium: a participatory research project." Environmental Health 9, no. 1: 33-33.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2009 in International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management
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This paper discusses the relevance of a complexity approach to environment and health research. The approach is characterised by modesty, respect and transparency with regard to complexity of real world problems, and openness to a diversity of knowledge and opinion. The approach criticises the traditional interpretation of objectivity and emphasises the inter-subjectivist nature of science. The Centre of Expertise for Environment and Health (CEH), working directly for the Flemish government, is a good example of the relevance of the approach in environment and health research. It also exemplifies the need for a social science contribution. Moreover, it illustrates the complicatedness of such an endeavour in practice. The approach will not make work easier in all respects, but it will enhance the quality by respecting the complexity of real world problems.

ACS Style

Hans Keune; Bert Morrens; Ilse Loot. Natural scientific complexity from a social scientific perspective: environment and health research and policymaking in Flanders (Belgium). International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management 2009, 13, 242 .

AMA Style

Hans Keune, Bert Morrens, Ilse Loot. Natural scientific complexity from a social scientific perspective: environment and health research and policymaking in Flanders (Belgium). International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management. 2009; 13 (3/4):242.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hans Keune; Bert Morrens; Ilse Loot. 2009. "Natural scientific complexity from a social scientific perspective: environment and health research and policymaking in Flanders (Belgium)." International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management 13, no. 3/4: 242.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2008 in Environmental Health
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In order to investigate and monitor environmental health in Flanders (the Dutch speaking part of Belgium), the Flemish government funded the Centre of Expertise for Environment and Health, which started a human biomonitoring campaign in 2001. In addition to environmental health experts measuring environmental pollutants and health effects in human beings, social scientific experts at the Centre focus on risk communication associated with the human biomonitoring campaign. In the literature about risk communication an evolution can be traced from traditional, one-way communication, restricted to the dissemination of information from experts to the public, to more modern, two-way risk communication, with a focus on participation and cooperation between scientists, policy-makers and the public. Within the Centre of Expertise for Environment and Health this discourse was first translated into some general principles and guidelines for external communication, at a 'Ten Commandments level'. These principles needed to be incorporated in the day-to-day practice of human biomonitoring research. The social scientific experts at the Centre developed a combined risk communication strategy. On the one hand the strategy consists of traditional risk communication for external communication purposes, for example information meetings and digital newsletters. On the other hand it consists of a step by step approach of incorporating more modern risk communication, for example a risk perception questionnaire, dialogical experiments for involving local stakeholders, and an action-plan for interpreting results for policy making. With a parallel strategy of traditional and modern communication, of external and internal reflection, and through different social scientific projects, the Flemish Centre of Expertise of Environment and Health incorporates risk communication in the day-to-day practice of human biomonitoring research. A direct and continuous involvement of the social scientist, an openness between all colleagues involved, and the awareness of a fine balance between quality and practicability are important success factors. These lessons may be helpful and inspirational for a European human biomonitoring project.

ACS Style

Hans Keune; Bert Morrens; Ilse Loots. Risk communication and human biomonitoring: which practical lessons from the Belgian experience are of use for the EU perspective? Environmental Health 2008, 7, S11 -S11.

AMA Style

Hans Keune, Bert Morrens, Ilse Loots. Risk communication and human biomonitoring: which practical lessons from the Belgian experience are of use for the EU perspective? Environmental Health. 2008; 7 (1):S11-S11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hans Keune; Bert Morrens; Ilse Loots. 2008. "Risk communication and human biomonitoring: which practical lessons from the Belgian experience are of use for the EU perspective?" Environmental Health 7, no. 1: S11-S11.