Insights from Expert Interviews on Navigating the Complexity of Prioritizing Chemicals for Human Biomonitoring in Latvia.

Abstract

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a vital tool for assessing chemical exposure in populations and informing evidence-based public health policy. For smaller countries such as Latvia, establishing a national HBM program presents specific challenges, including limited prior experience, national data gaps, and resource constraints. This study explores the expert experiences and reflections gathered during the development of Latvia's national HBM chemical prioritization process. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight experts who were directly involved in evaluating and selecting substances for inclusion in the program. The focus of this study is not on the outcomes of the prioritization itself-published elsewhere-but rather on the strategies applied, challenges encountered, and lessons learned in navigating the prioritization process. A qualitative content analysis identified several key themes, including limitations in data availability, institutional coordination challenges, differences in expert opinion, and the complexity of adapting international methodologies to the national context. Despite these obstacles, the process benefitted from interdisciplinary collaboration, iterative methodological refinement, and the strategic use of international frameworks. The findings offer practical insights for countries with limited resources that are initiating or refining their national HBM programs. This study highlights the importance of national data infrastructure, stakeholder engagement, and tailored methodological approaches to ensure an effective and context-sensitive prioritization process.