PARC Projects

Overview

Traditional food safety monitoring mainly relies on targeted analytical methods that focus on specific, known chemicals. However, the growing variety and quantity of both known and unknown chemicals in the market necessitate more comprehensive detection strategies.  

Currently, the presence of hazardous chemicals in food is monitored using targeted methods that focus on a limited number of compounds. Although laboratories are continuously expanding the list of chemicals they monitor, this strategy is inadequate for addressing hundreds of thousands of known and unknown chemicals that continuously enter the market or are produced as by-products. Advances in analytical technology, such as High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry ↗, allow for the identification of potentially hazardous contaminant in food samples using screening methods like Suspect Screening ↗. Suspect Screening is an approach that screens for chemicals suspected to be present in a sample, even if they are not confirmed.  

This project aims to develop innovative tools for analysing food samples, adapt them to fit regulatory needs, and promote consistency in food monitoring practices. 

It will compare various analytical strategies and workflows—from sample preparation to data processing—to identify their strengths and overlaps in detecting traces of known, emerging, and unknown chemicals in food. Additionally, the project will conduct a proof-of-concept study to assess the relevance of such developed screening methods as part of monitoring and control plans. This will help identify original contaminant mixtures from real-world data and contribute to the early warning system for emerging chemical concerns, ultimately benefiting food policy makers.  

Achievements & Results

The interlaboratory exercise was designed through a collaborative process involving all project partners. An online survey and detailed questionnaire collected information on partners’ analytical capabilities, preferred food matrices, and in-house protocols for sample preparation and analysis. This input was used to finalise the experimental design during an online meeting held on February 22, 2024, with further refinements based on feedback from the partners and discussions with work package leaders.

The finalised experimental design included the analysis of two food matrices—baby food and honey—fortified with 30 substances, comprising 10 known and 20 unknown compounds. Samples were prepared at three concentration levels (blank, low, and high) and distributed to partners for analysis using their preferred methods involving liquid or gas chromatography coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry ↗. A total of 54 samples per partner were provided for triplicate extraction and analysis.

On November 21, all samples were sent to all project partners, officially launching the interlaboratory comparison. 

Overview

To accurately reflect the complex reality of human exposure to chemicals, new conceptual frameworks and innovative methodological approaches are essential, encompassing every step from sample collection to the generation and analysis of exposure data. While promising new approaches are available, they require further development and rigorous performance evaluation before they can be widely implemented in large-scale human cohort studies.

Agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA ↗) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA ↗) have highlighted the critical importance of early-life human exposure, particularly in the context of risk assessment and its implications for long-term health, as described by the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD ↗) concept. 

New sampling techniques, such as silicone wristbands and dried blood spots, offer non-invasive solutions for collecting samples from vulnerable populations like infants and children, where minimising invasiveness and sample size is paramount.

In parallel, suspect and non-targeted screening (SS/NTS ↗) approaches, leveraging high-resolution mass spectrometry and effect-directed analysis (EDA ↗), are gaining traction in analytical laboratories. These methods are designed to detect a broad spectrum of chemicals without prior knowledge of specific substances, enabling the identification of unexpected or previously unknown exposures.

This project aims to develop and validate a proof-of-concept to evaluate the performance and potential of these innovative methods as complementary tools to traditional, targeted approaches. The focus is on analysing human samples collected from mother-child pairs. These screening methods are designed to simultaneously detect diverse substances from multiple chemical classes, including both persistent and non-persistent organic pollutants of emerging concern. 

Achievements & results

In Year 1, the project achieved key milestones, including finalising the global roadmap, developing a detailed work plan across three experimental pillars, identifying initial sample sets, arranging material transfer agreements and sample shipments, and sharing existing standard operating procedures for analytical methods.

By Year 2, partner roles were consolidated, and initial sample analyses (pillar 1) and interlaboratory assays for screening techniques (pillar 2) began, with both on track. Additionally, a working group on innovative sampling methods was established, conducting a literature review to identify existing knowledge and gaps. In Year 3, data analysis for the first round of sample characterisation and interlab assay results is underway, alongside progress in method harmonisation and experimental testing of clean-up procedures to refine standard operating procedures for sampling tools like silicone wristbands. 

Overview

This project aims to develop guidance values for human biomonitoring of priority chemical substances, using measurable biomarkers of exposure as a foundation for accurately interpreting potential health impacts. Biomarkers of exposure are substances in the body, such as chemicals or their breakdown products, that indicate whether and how much someone has been exposed to a chemical. The human biomonitoring guidance values, developed through collaborative consensus within the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) project, will standardise the assessment of human biomonitoring results and support European chemicals policies.  

To enable a health-related interpretation of human biomonitoring results, human biomonitoring guidance values must be derived from epidemiological or toxicological data and correspond directly to measurable human exposure biomarkers. Epidemiological data refers to data or evidence relating to the occurrence, distribution, clinical characteristics, and control of disease within a group of people while toxicological data are used to evaluate the potential harm or hazard of a chemical. The main aim of this project is to create as many guidance values as possible for priority chemicals identified by PARC and measured in the Aligned Studies.  

Through the consensual approach, broad acceptance and promotion of the harmonised assessment of human biomonitoring results should be ensured. The guidance values for both the general population and worker groups are derived according to the agreed human biomonitoring guidance value methodology. However, ongoing refinement of this strategy will be incorporated as new data emerge. In certain cases, molecular modelling—a computer-based method for predicting how chemicals behave in the body—may be required, and corresponding results will be made available within PARC. Each human biomonitoring guidance value will include a confidence level, which indicates the degree of certainty about the value’s accuracy. 

Achievements & Results

The first values and associated substance dossiers are currently being finalised. The substances included in this initial release are:

• DHHB (diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Uvinul® A Plus
• (Gamma/Lambda) Cyhalothrin
• Benzophenone-3
• Diisononyl Phthalate (DiNP)
• Diethylhexyl Terephthalate (DEHTP)
• Aluminium
• Nickel
• Chromium VI
• Mercury
• Acetamiprid
• Imidacloprid 

Overview

This project evaluates how effectively European regulations minimise the risks posed by chemical use, protecting public health and the environment. By monitoring chemicals in people's bodies across different European regions using a harmonised approach and quality-assured analytical methods, this project will assess the impact of policies like the European Green Deal ↗ and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability ↗. It aims to understand how chemical exposure varies based on local environment, lifestyle, and diet. In addition, this project tracks emerging chemical risks and evaluates their health impacts, guiding safer chemical practices and preventing harmful substitutions. These efforts help ensure ongoing safety and build public trust in chemical management. The findings will be relevant to policy makers and regulatory frameworks that restrict chemical production, use, and environmental release, as well as those focused on environmental and human health protection.  

Demonstrating the effectiveness of existing policies is essential for maintaining public trust and securing the ongoing collaboration of industry and stakeholders. Human biomonitoring is a tool of health-related environmental monitoring with which populations are examined for their exposure to pollutants from the environment. 

When carried out across Europe, this tool provides consistent data on the internal exposure of the European population to priority substances within the Partnership for the assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC), in different European regions. The results from European partnerships like the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU ↗) and PARC, offer a baseline and when repeated show trends over time. These data help track the success of initiatives like the European Green Deal's Zero Pollution Action Plan ↗ and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.  

This project will also identify exposure to new and potentially concerning chemicals, including substitutes for banned substances. Detecting these chemicals in the population can serve as an early warning system of hidden risk. By measuring biological markers that show how chemicals affect the body and linking them to health data, this study will provide insight into how these chemicals, including substitutes, impact health. This will also support efforts to group chemicals and avoid harmful substitutions.  

Achievements & Results

Although the primary project results are expected in 2027/2028, progress has been made in the preparatory phase. Participating countries contributing with human biomonitoring data have been identified, and supporting materials, including questionnaires, have been developed. The selected target groups include children (6-11 years), teenagers (12-17 years), and adults (18-39 years) and a finalized list of biomarkers includes substances like bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS, pesticides, metals, arsenic, and cotinine. Find out more about this here. 

A workshop held in Brussels on on 10 and 11 May 2023 brought together experts to align methodologies and protocols for PARC-aligned human biomonitoring studies. The workshop aimed to ensure a harmonised, consistent approach across participating countries, allowing for reliable and comparable data collection.

Initial studies have begun recruiting participants and collecting biological samples, marking the start of data generation for the project. This phase is crucial to generate high-quality data that will help assess chemical risks and policy effectiveness. 

Overview

A Sentinel Surveillance System in occupational settings is a strategic and cost-effective tool for monitoring health issues linked to environmental and occupational exposures, using the expertise of trained occupational health and safety professionals. This system involves selecting specific locations to gather comprehensive data on occupational and environmental health conditions alongside exposure data for substances of high concern. Sentinel surveillance generates vital data for advancing exposome research, improving innovative approaches in exposure studies, and offering cost-efficient methods for biomonitoring exposure data. 

Establishing national sentinel surveillance platforms enhances data collection in workplace settings, enabling continuous monitoring of exposure levels and related health outcomes. Additionally, the system serves as an early warning system for identifying and addressing emerging threats in workplaces.  

This project aims to establish a European sentinel surveillance system to support human biomonitoring surveys in the general adult population, using occupational physicians and nurses. Sentinel networks, made up of motivated physicians, provide and efficient way to collect data and samples, a method that has proven successful in occupational health studies. The primary objective of this project is to assess the feasibility of using a sentinel system to enhance human biomonitoring surveys, covering a broad range of chemical exposures, including PFAS ↗ (also known as "forever chemicals"), pesticides ↗, bisphenols ↗, metals, and mercury ↗.

By involving occupational physicians and nurses, the project aims to improve recruitment for the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) general population human biomonitoring survey, providing critical data on the environmental and occupational exposure for a representative sample of European working adults. This initiative supports regulatory frameworks related to the general population human biomonitoring survey and aligns with the EU’s Health & Safety at Work – Strategic Framework (2021-2027) ↗, which focuses on guidelines and standards for protecting workers’ health and safety.  

In addition, this project contributes to the EU's objectives of zero pollution ↗, one-substance-one-assessment ↗ approach, and exposome initiatives ↗ by generating aggregated exposure data from various sources. Ultimately, the project functions as a strategic tool to address current and emerging health risks, while promoting a safer working environment in line with EU regulations and standards.

From an international perspective, establishing and implementing a sentinel surveillance approach across EU countries, combined with training occupational health and safety professionals in assessing occupational and environmental exposures, is seen as a promising strategy. This approach has the potential to generate more reliable data and enable meaningful comparisons of large-scale exposure information across nations. 

Achievements & Results

In Belgium, a significant milestone has been achieved with the development and launch of the Human Sentinel Surveillance Platform (HSSP ↗), a web-based sentinel surveillance tool. The platform is currently undergoing testing to evaluate its feasibility for national-level surveillance of occupational chemical exposures. 

Overview

Environmental burden of disease analyses how much disease is caused by environmental factors like chemical exposures, while health impact assessments estimate the health effects of policies or programs. Together, these analyses help identify priorities for preventive action for current chemical exposure in the EU ↗. Case studies on priority substances identified by the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) will calculate health impacts, risks, and cost scenarios, depending on data availability and methodological improvements. Findings will support the creation of indicators for risk and health impact.  

Health impact assessments as well as social and external cost-benefit analyses help quantify the health impacts of chemical exposure across EU populations. These tools can prioritise actions to prevent or reduce exposure and estimate the environmental burden of disease and the avoided costs due to policies and regulations. 

Case studies will focus on key chemicals prioritised by PARC. Based on findings from related projects in PARC on data and methods, selected case studies will assess health impacts and risk or cost-benefit scenarios for certain chemical, chemical classes, mixtures ↗, adverse health effects, and affected populations, using both existing and newly generated data. The results will also contribute to a project dedicated to developing a set of risk and health impact indicators. 

This project is one of four interconnected initiatives focussed on assessing the health impacts of chemical exposure. 

Achievements & Results

In the first year, a framework was developed to prioritise chemical exposure case studies. This included creating criteria and scoring rules, which were applied to proposals from project partners to select the most relevant studies. Initial case studies were identified, and their design and implementation are now ongoing.

For the second year, the focus is on finalising the first set of studies and beginning their implementation. These studies aim to assess health impacts, including burden of disease and cost-benefit analyses. Plans are also underway to prioritise additional case studies for future years, targeting key health effects like endocrine disruption ↗, immunotoxicity ↗, and neurotoxicity ↗. Work will continue to improve methods and harmonise approaches across studies. 

Overview

Wastewater and wastewater plants are important sources of information for advancing scientific understanding of human exposure to chemical substances. By measuring specific markers, such as human metabolites, in wastewater in wastewater treatment plants, we can significantly contribute to a better management of chemicals that threaten both public health and the environment,  

This project focuses on studying wastewater with an emphasis on both human and environmental exposure. It employs innovative methods including (i) wastewater fingerprinting for assessing community wide human exposure and (ii) screening of wastewater treatment plant effluents to assess the release of Chemicals of Emerging Concern into the water cycle ↗. While utilising wastewater-based epidemiology tools, further presence of pathogens ↗, chemicals ↗, and other indicators of health in a community can be monitored. These commonly arise from substances like viruses, bacteria and pharmaceuticals ↗being excreted by individuals through urine and feces, which then enter the sewage system.  

The methods used in this study can contribute to the establishment of a European scale monitoring system and facilitate the re-evaluation of existing data, greatly extending the knowledge base on Chemicals of Emerging Concern in the water cycle. 

This research will serve as a basis for revising and managing several water related legislations, such as the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive ↗, with to the goal of reducing emissions of Chemicals of Emerging Concern. Additionally, it will provide information on river-basin-specific chemicals for the Water Framework Directive ↗. Furthermore, the study will provide information on chemical mixtures ↗, supporting the revision of the European regulation Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH ↗). 

Achievements & Results

The results of this project will be disseminated toward the conclusion of the project timeline, in alignment with planned milestones. However, a significant achievement has already been realised with the successful implementation of the first pan-European sampling campaign as scheduled for 2024. 

Overview

The EU uses regulations as a method to set threshold values for the concentration of natural toxins such as microcystins ↗, yessotoxin ↗ and saxitoxin ↗ to ensure they remain safe for human consumption. Microcystins are toxins produced by cyanobacteria ↗ in freshwater, while yessotoxin and saxitoxin are marine biotoxins associated with harmful algal blooms.

While there are regulations in place to protect human health, there is a gap in regulations regarding safe exposure levels for aquatic species from an environment health perspective.

In aquatic ecosystems, invertebrates have a crucial role in the food chain and the overall functioning of the ecosystem, as they are primary consumers and serve as food for higher trophic levels. Microalgae are in turn the primary food source for these invertebrates, which are positioned on an even lower level in the trophic chain forming the very base of aquatic ecosystems. Studying the effects and risks natural toxins have on aquatic organisms, such as invertebrates and microalgae, lays the cornerstone of assessing the need for regulations and toxin mitigation measures.

By investigating the toxicity of naturally occurring toxins alone or in combination on aquatic organisms, this project aims to make an impact on the regulatory landscape concerning the protection of marine and freshwater environments. Within EU legislation, this project draws on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive ↗ and the Water Framework Directive ↗. Additionally, the results of this project will also serve as a basis for further regulating nitrogen and phosphorus pollution ↗ within the EU, as these contribute to eutrophication ↗, a key driver of harmful algae bloom.  

Achievements & Results

The study investigated the effects of various natural toxins and environmental conditions on aquatic organisms. Here are the key findings:

• Toxicity of Mycotoxins: Several mycotoxins commonly found in wastewater, such as zearalenone and deoxynivalenol ↗, were tested for their effects on pond snail embryos. Toxicity levels were detected at concentrations well above environmental levels.  
• Impact on Tiny Crustaceans: Two marine toxins, yessotoxin and saxitoxin, were shown to reduce the number of offspring produced by the estuarine copepod N. spinipes. This impact became even stronger when water temperatures were elevated, highlighting the potential risks of climate change in amplifying toxin effects.
• Toxin Levels in Natural Waters: Measurements of four algal toxins in natural seawater (yessotoxin, saxitoxin, domoic acid, and microcystin-LR) found that, in the absence of algal blooms, their concentrations are below levels shown to cause harmful effects in this study.
• Effects on Green Algae: Testing the effects of microcystin-LR and cylindrospermopsin on green algae (C. vulgaris) revealed that growth was affected only at relatively high concentrations (4 to 40 mg/L) after 4 to 7 days of exposure. 

Overview

Concerns about the harmful effects of bisphenol A (BPA) ↗, a chemical commonly used in plastics, and strict restrictions on its use in many countries have led to the development of alternative chemicals.  These substitutions, known as BPA alternatives, are now emerging as environmental contaminants found across the globe in water, sediment, sludge, soil, indoor dust, and air. The upcoming opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA ↗), which recommends significantly reducing daily BPA exposure, is expected to increase the use of these alternatives further.  

Many BPA alternatives share similar properties with BPA. They are often toxic to aquatic organisms, can disrupt endocrine ↗ (hormonal) systems, affect reproduction, metabolism, and immune systems, and may persist in the environment.  

BPA alternatives are regulated under the European Union’s REACH ↗ framework, which governs the safe use of chemicals. However, the data required for assessing the safety of those alternatives vary depending on the production volume, and existing information is often insufficient to fully evaluate their potential risks to humans and the environment. The risks posed by exposure to mixtures of these chemicals ↗—common in real-world scenarios—are particularly underexplored, especially for long-term effects at environmentally realistic concentrations. This research project seeks to address these gaps by studying the potential harmful effects of BPA alternatives on various organisms. It will also develop new methods and tools for assessing these chemicals, with a focus on improving regulatory approaches and environmental safety. 

Achievements & Results

Tests with individual compounds have been conducted, revealing that the toxicity of bisphenols varies, with some being more harmful than others. The observed effects are dependent on the specific test organism or system used. Discussions are ongoing regarding the mixtures to be tested in the next phase.

As part of the project, experts conducted an extensive review, sharing their insights on the toxicity of BPA alternatives and their presence in the environment. The article can be accessed here ↗.

The project is also advancing innovative methodologies aimed at replacing traditional vertebrate animal tests. This includes the development of high-content screening techniques using zebrafish embryos and the creation of 3D zebrafish spheroids. 

Overview

Developmental and adult neurotoxicity describe harmful effects on the developing or mature nervous system. They are currently assessed using specific studies and according to international guidelines ↗, such as those from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD ↗). These guideline studies require significant resources, making them impractical for evaluating adverse effects of large numbers of chemicals. Because of this, there is an international agreement ↗ that testing for developmental neurotoxicity needs to be faster and more directly relevant to humans. To achieve this, experts are working to replace traditional methods with a group of new, more efficient tests designed for regulatory purposes.  

The current state-of-the-art involves a set of lab-based experiments called the Developmental Neurotoxicity in vitro test battery ↗ which use cells from humans and rats to study important processes in brain development. While this is a major step towards establishing an alternative testing regime, there are still gaps in the kinds of effects these tests can detect. The main goal of this project is to fill those gaps.  

To improve the current testing battery and create a system for testing effects on adult brains, this project will focus on three major tools: i) human cells, which avoid difference between species, (ii) zebrafish embryos, which are useful because they contain a complete nervous system capable of performing complex behaviours that could potentially be disrupted by chemical exposure, and (iii) computer-based methods that use models to predict neurotoxic effects.  

New testing methods will look at areas that have not been fully explored before, such as:  

• How disruptions in hormone systems (endocrine disruption ↗), gene activity (transcriptomics), and long-term genetic regulation (epigenetics) affect brain development,  
• The formation and function of brain connections (synaptogenesis and neural networks),  
• The development of the blood-brain barrier (a protective layer in the brain),  
• Behavioural effects like reflex responses (startle), anxiety-like behaviour, and learning and memory.  

Achievements & Results

A joint paper identifies key research gaps that this project aims to address, providing a framework for advancing toxicological understanding. Read the full article ↗.

One study explored genes essential for brain development, including those involved in forming neural connections, maturing different types of brain cells, and responding to hormone-disrupting chemicals. See the study here ↗.

In behavioral testing, researchers enhanced a zebrafish model by adding new ways to measure their reactions to light changes. This revealed how a chemical, PFOS, causes an exaggerated startle response, shedding light on how it affects behavior and brain function. Explore the findings here ↗.

Another publication distinguishes between testing methods for chemical safety from collecting data to developing comprehensive, reliable tests, emphasizing the importance of well-structured methodologies. Access the full publication here ↗.

Advances in testing strategies are reshaping developmental neurotoxicity research. A recent review highlights the growing use of innovative, animal-free testing methods to study the effects of chemicals on brain development. These approaches are driven by emerging technologies and international testing guidelines, such as those from the OECD. Learn more here ↗.

Finally, a new model using human-like brain cells, called LUHMES neurons, enables researchers to study nerve damage more effectively. This method allows detailed observation of nerve endings, measurement of specific markers, and analysis of biochemical changes after injury. See the full study here ↗.

Overview

The diversity of chemicals entering the environment is increasing, with some posing significant harm to ecosystems and human health. New analytical approaches, such as innovative sampling techniques, non-targeted profiling using high-resolution mass spectrometry, and effect-directed analysis, offer promising tools for detecting, identifying, and prioritising chemicals of concern ↗.

• Non-targeted profiling uses advanced instruments to scan samples broadly, detecting both known and previously unidentified chemicals.
• High-resolution mass spectrometry is a technique that accurately measures the mass of molecules, helping identify chemicals at very low concentrations.
• Effect-directed analysis combines chemical testing with biological responses to identify harmful substances.

Within the Partnership for Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC), 40 researchers from 30 institutes across 10 EU member states have outlined the scientific challenges in adopting these methods for regulatory use. These challenges include detecting and annotating chemicals (assigning identities to detected compounds), quantifying their levels, prioritising their risks, and ensuring results are scalable and easily reportable for widespread use.

The researchers recommend ways to incorporate these innovative tools into environmental and human monitoring programs. Doing so could significantly improve the characterisation of chemical exposure, provide better support for modern risk assessment methods, and contribute to early warning systems to protect health and the environment. 

Achievements & Results

The key needs and recommendations identified for leveraging innovative methodologies to support the development of next-generation chemical risk assessment were published here ↗.  

Recommendations from the publication were given further visibility being summarised in Chemical Watch News & Insight ↗. These included urging regulatory bodies like the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA ↗) to encourage companies to share mass spectral data. Such data can significantly enhance the ability to detect and identify chemicals, thereby improving monitoring programs and supporting chemical risk assessment.

Following discussion with ECHA, a working group is underway to develop a step-by-step strategy of how to implement some of the identified recommendations.  

Overview

This project focuses on making human biomonitoring datasets more accessible and reusable for scientific and regulatory purposes. The goal is to ensure that these datasets are prepared and shared as FAIR datasets ↗, meaning they are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. This approach helps researchers and regulators use the data effectively.  

Human biomonitoring datasets, which track chemicals and their effects in human bodies, pose challenges for reuse as they contain sensitive personal information requiring careful attention to ethical and legal issues. For example, maximising the scientific and regulatory value of the data required analyses on individual data points, maintaining the coherence of the dataset, and linking the data to other types of information, such as health, environmental, and lifestyle data. Additionally, human biomonitoring datasets often contain chemical measurements for which no standardised naming or identification systems exist, making them harder to use across different studies.

The project will make human biomonitoring datasets available to scientific users, who can reuse entire datasets, regulatory bodies, which might use the data to assess chemical risks and improve models and tools for environmental and public health policies, and the public, who might benefit from summaries or insights derived from the data.  

By doing this, the project indirectly supports multiple regulatory frameworks and aims to improve human risk assessment.

One of the broader impacts of the project is developing solutions to allow sensitive personal data to be reused while still safeguarding legal and ethical rights. This includes linking data across different domains—such as health, environment, and consumption—ensuring the systems used to analyse and share data can work together seamlessly.  

By tackling these challenges, this project aims to make human biomonitoring data more useful, while respecting the privacy and rights of individuals whose data is included. 

Achievements & Results

The final content, including outcomes, achievements, and actionable insights, will be published upon completion of the project.

Overview

The HBM4EU ↗ project has generated extensive human biomonitoring data through the HBM4EU Aligned Studies ↗, covering various general population groups—adults, teenagers and children— as well as the HBM4EU occupational studies on occupational exposure to specific chemicals like chromium VI ↗, diisocyanates ↗ and e-waste. Chromium VI, for example, is a toxic form of chromium used in industrial processes, while diisocyanates are chemicals used in the production of foams, coatings, and adhesives. Electronic waste contains potentially harmful substances that are released during improper disposal. Additional studies include the MoM-study ↗, which looks at mercury exposure ↗ during pregnancy, and the SPECIMEn study ↗, examining pesticide ↗ hotspots. Data from these studies have already provided valuable insights, while more findings are expected to be published soon. However, further research questions are anticipated to arise from the data, and not all the generated data were analysed during HBM4EU.  

To maximise the use of HBM4EU data and apply them to new biomonitoring studies planned under the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC), additional statistical analyses will be conducted. These analyses are expected to shed more light on sources of exposure and health effects. This project is of relevance for all regulatory frameworks that aim to control the production, use, environmental release, and exposure to chemicals, as well as those focused on protecting environmental, human and worker health.  

Europe’s zero-pollution agenda ↗ should start with understanding the presence of synthetic chemicals in the bodies of its citizens and make reducing this chemical burden and its health impacts a key priority. 

By measuring exposure and effect biomarkers in human biomonitoring studies, researchers can gain insight into the health impacts of chemicals and their substitutes. This data will also support grouping similar chemicals together and help avoid replacing harmful substances with other chemicals that pose a similar risk.  

Achievements & Results

To date, two manuscripts are published as part of the exposure-effect analyses of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies, that is the manuscript on “Associations between urinary phthalate metabolites with BDNF and behavioral function among European children from five HBM4EU aligned studies ↗” and the manuscript on “Association of environmental pollutants with asthma and allergy, and the mediating role of oxidative stress and immune markers in adolescents ↗”.

For the remaining research questions, statistical analyses are ongoing and being finalised and manuscripts are being drafted. 

Overview

The European Commission has enacted several legislations like the European Green Deal ↗ and the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability ↗ to advance sustainable development in the EU. Strategic documents like these provide guidance for a toxic-free and sustainable future where the production and usage of chemicals is regulated to maximize benefit and minimize risks for the environment and human health. 

While several legislations set the foundation for higher levels of consumer and worker protection, enforcing them is vital to achieve all set goals.

This project will evaluate the current availability on chemicals and products and articles and assess how the availability and quality of data impacts a range of potential end uses of the data, in particular chemical enforcement, risk assessment and sustainability evaluation tools such as Life Cycle Assessments ↗ and Product Environmental Footprints ↗.

By improving our ability to identify and share data on chemicals in products and articles, the database structures will support to enforce regulation, develop risk-based identification tools for substances of concern ↗ due to health and environmental hazards, and the transition to a circular economy ↗.

Results of this study will support the decision-making of national enforcement authorities for chemical and product specific legislation as well as promote further restrictions of harmful chemicals in various consumer goods. 

Achievements & Results

The final content, including outcomes, achievements, and actionable insights, will be published upon completion of the project.