Human biomonitoring projects in Switzerland
In Switzerland, there are several studies that include human biomonitoring. However, these do not yet provide representative data for Switzerland, so that a national study is being considered.
Starting point
As the first parliamentary initiative in Switzerland, the postulate Moser 08.3223 in 2009 called for human biomonitoring (HBM) in Switzerland. In the meantime, the FOPH has responded to the postulate by conducting an inventory and initiating a pilot study.
Important projects in Switzerland
Between 2010 and 2012, Switzerland participated in DEMOCOPHES, the first cross-sectional HBM study harmonized across Europe. In the context of some cohort studies in Switzerland, human biosamples are taken, some of which are analysed for chemicals.
Towards a national programme
In collaboration with academic scientists, the FOPH had planned a national programme to collect human biomonitoring data and health data. This was to be a multidisciplinary follow-up study that would enable data to be collected on the health status, chemical exposure and nutritional status of the Swiss population.
The goal of this programme would be to provide reference values for the Swiss population, to better understand the influences of the environment on our health, and thus to support health policy.
After completion of the pilot phase in 2023, the Federal Council had requested the FOPH to clarify the organisational and financing options and the necessary legal basis in collaboration with the interested federal offices FOEN, FSO, FSVO, SERI and SECO. This preparatory project FOR-SHeS (financing, organisation, legal basis of a Swiss health study) was started in 2024. In view of the federal government's strained financial situation, the FOPH, in consultation with the Federal Department of Home Affairs, had to decide in spring 2025 not to pursue the project at this time. The findings obtained so far are to be published in the form of a project report on the FOPH website in spring 2026.
There is interest from academic institutions in further advancing the initiative. The Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+) has offered to act as a point of contact for the strategy and development of a cohort. The Federal Office of Public Health welcomes this intention.
Pilot phase
A pilot project for a national health study with Human Biomonitoring (HBM) was conducted under the name "Swiss Health Study - Pilot Phase". The interim report on the operational phase and the analytical results from HBM were published in German and French in June and August 2023, respectively. You can find the reports together with further evaluations and scientific publications under ‘Documents’ and ‘Links’.
Further information
Related Topics
Human biomonitoring: initial situation
As the first parliamentary initiative in Switzerland, the postulate Moser 08.3223 in 2009 called for human biomonitoring (HBM) in Switzerland. In the meantime, the FOPH has responded to the postulate by conducting an inventory and initiating a pilot study.
Human biomonitoring: important projects in Switzerland
Between 2010 and 2012, Switzerland participated in DEMOCOPHES, the first cross-sectional HBM study harmonized across Europe. In the context of some cohort studies in Switzerland, human biosamples are taken, some of which are analysed for chemicals.
Human biomonitoring projects: pilot phase
A pilot project for a national health study with Human Biomonitoring (HBM) is being conducted under the name “Swiss Health Study - Pilot Phase”. The first results regarding feasibility and HBM analytics were published in German and French in summer 2023 (see below).
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern