On Developing Bioindicators for Human and Ecological Health

Risk assessors and risk managersgenerally either examine ecological health (usingbioindicators) or human health (using biomarkers ofexposure or effect). In this paper we suggest thatit is possible and advantageous to developbioindicators that can be used to assess exposureand effect for both human and non-human receptors. We describe the characteristics of suitablebioindicators for both human and ecological health,using mourning doves (Zenaida macroura),raccoons (Procyon lotor), and bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) as examples, and list thegeneral characteristics of other species that wouldmake them useful indicators for assessing both humanand ecological health. Bioindicators can beused cross-sectionally to assess the status ofecosystems and risk as well as longitudinally formonitoring changes or evaluating remediation. Forboth human and ecological risk assessment, there arethree sets of characteristics to consider whenselecting bioindicators: biological relevance,methodological relevance, and societal relevance. An indicator which fails to fulfill these is notlikely to be considered cost-effective and is likelyto be abandoned. The indicator should be readilymeasured and must measure an important range ofimpacts. For long-term support of a bioindicator,the indicator should be easily understood, and becost effective. We suggest that bioindicators thatcan also be used for both ecological and humanhealth risk assessment are optimal.