Comparative Performance of Conventional and Molecular Dosimetry Methods in Environmental Biomonitoring

Capacity building in environmental biomonitoring is a key component of sustainable development. This paper addresses this subject in relation to: practical methods for general and specific monitoring of environmental biohazards; conductance of compliance monitoring of large-scale releases of microbe-based contaminants, and risk/benefit analysis of biotechnology products such as biopesticides used in “greening” the environment. In addition to providing an environmental toxicology perspective to “what do we really know about the environmental“(59), we discuss the safety and utility of Bacillus thuringiensis-based, commercial pesticides (BT products) for developing and validating environmental dosimetry methods and strategies. A performance evaluation of “conventional” and “advanced” molecular dosimetry methods is made from a large data set based on an aerial spray calibration. The latter methods are by no means as “advanced” as those under development for climate control and defense research (42; see authors in this NATO ASI edition), but they are often regarded at the limit of capacity (molecular skills and specialty equipment) in most field work conducted in developing and developed countries.