Researchers and project leaders from across the PARC partnership met in Paris to review major progress in human biomonitoring, environmental monitoring and exposure assessment studies, while defining priorities for the next phase of work within Work Package 4 (WP4).

The annual WP4 meeting took place from January 20–21 at the Collège de France in Paris, with satellite meetings on January 19 and 22. The event was organized by the WP4 co-leads, Santé Publique France ↗ (SpF) and the German Environment Agency ↗ (UBA). The meeting brought together project and task leads as well as further contributors from across PARC to review the current progress and to plan the next steps.

The main meeting offered an opportunity to reflect on the first three years of PARC. The sessions highlighted how the different activities within WP4 contribute to the overall objectives of PARC, while also allowing for an open exchange on challenges and lessons learned.

The second day focused on the years ahead. Upcoming priorities and planned activities were presented, and new ideas were discussed. Participants exchanged views on how to strengthen collaboration, increase impact, and further align ongoing work with the broader goals of the partnership.

Key achievements presented included the PARC Aligned Studies, where sample collection is ongoing, analytical work is starting, and data analysis for exposure and effect biomarkers is underway. Similarly, the Occupational HBM Studies are nearing completion, with sampling of workers with potential exposure to anti-cancer drugs, anaesthetic gases and disinfectants almost finished. Initial exposure biomarker analyses are complete, with effect biomarker studies progressing.

In the Waste Management Sector, over 600 workers in e-waste, battery and plastic recycling have been sampled, with preliminary exposure biomarker analyses completed and effect biomarker studies ongoing. The methods for the measurement of MnHexP and (ultra)short PFAS ↗ are almost ready, with sample analysis being the next step. In addition, HBM-GVs have been derived for UV filters, plasticisers, insecticides and metals (AD 4.3).

The environmental monitoring pilot project has been completed and comprised three sub-projects: the assessment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and associated effects across four environmental compartments; case studies on the fate of PFAS precursors from emission sources to aquatic receptors, with publications submitted or in preparation; and the derivation of PFAS baseline levels across Europe for multiple environmental matrices, reflecting current concentrations resulting from decades of diffuse emissions.

Major achievements of the WP4 monitoring task include mapping over 10,000 references for prioritisation schemes, developing a comprehensive list of prioritisation tools, and creating a prototype IT tool for multicriteria decision trees. The developed tools were tested through case studies in collaboration with national and PARC projects. These include prioritisation of contaminants in sludge and environmental monitoring of air, drinking water, soil and dust. Additionally, two new projects will be launched: InnoSoil, focusing on innovative methods for soil contamination assessment, and PFAS-PMT, targeting ultra-short-chain PFAS in the European environment.

The task on Innovative Tools and Methods has made significant progress, with key developments in harmonising sample and data analysis protocols. Initial results include a common basis for inter-laboratory assays, the development of the PARC MIX for QA/QC, and a unified reporting template for SS/NTS results, all contributing to enhanced comparability of data. Notably, human and environmental exposure assessments have been conducted across multiple European sites, including 30 wastewater treatment plants, alongside sampling from human urine, blood and milk, identifying over 600 exposure markers with a high level of confidence.

Furthermore, colleagues from other work packages were invited to share insights into their work, creating space to identify synergies and explore new cooperation opportunities.

The satellite meetings at the beginning and end of the week allowed smaller groups to dive deeper into specific topics.

In summary, the Paris meeting confirmed significant progress in WP4, with important results from HBM and environmental and occupational exposure studies, as well as developments in innovative tools, all contributing to PARC’s broader goals of improving public health and environmental protection.

The meeting in Paris not only provided a valuable review of results and achievements but also set a clear direction for the work ahead, leading up to the next WP4 meeting in November 2026 in Berlin.