The HBRU primary goals are the development of biomarkers for the identification of human exposure to different occupational and environmental pollutants such as pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and persistent organic pollutants. Furthermore, HBRU aims to expand existing knowledge of the relationships between exposure to pollutants and subsequent biological/biochemical disorders. 

HBRU analytical techniques are mainly based on chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry applied to various biological matrices such as blood, urine and hair. HBRU also has strong expertise in biomarkers of alcohol consumption as well as in the assessment of exposure to cigarette smoke in active and passive smoking.