Tools & resources

Innovative methods & tools

In PARC we are developing, improving, and finally applying novel tools and methods that innovate the ways we monitor chemicals in human, food and environmental matrices. Simultaneously, we accelerate innovation on modeling exposure and determination of risks of chemicals. The tools and methods we are currently implementing and developing in PARC are described briefly in the following. 

Tools and methods to identify emerging contaminants and support monitoring efforts and their link to an early warning system 

In PARC, we investigate innovative tools and methods that include novel sampling techniques, including both individual sampling approaches like silicone wristbands or dry blood spots and community-level approaches like wastewater-based epidemiology. Alternative matrices, surveys, and sum parameter-based analytical approaches for monitoring activities are also considered. Suspect and non-targeted screening coupled to effect directed analyses are investigated as comprehensive profiling approaches.

Suspect and nontarget screening, including effect-directed analysis

Non-target screening (NTS) is a modern chemical analysis approach to detect unknown or unexpected chemicals in the environment or in humans. Unlike traditional ‘targeted’ analyses, which focus on a small, predefined list of chemicals, NTS does not require prior knowledge of which substances are present and does not depend on having reference standards available. This makes it particularly useful for identifying emerging contaminants.  NTS can detect a very broad range of substances, including organic and some organo-metallic chemicals, with different physical and chemical properties. However, like all analytical approaches, NTS also has limitations. These relate to which parts of the overall “chemical space” can be captured, as well as to sampling methods and the capabilities of analytical instruments.

NTS supports many types of monitoring activities. For example, it can be used to track pollution from specific sources, to monitor long-term trends in chemical contamination, or to help identify chemicals that may be causing harmful effects observed in environmental or biological studies. The development of NTS is has been made possible by advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). This technology can record nearly all chemical signals present in a sample at once. For each detected signal, HRMS provides detailed information such as the exact mass, retention time, signal intensity and additional fragmentation data. Together, these characteristics act like a “fingerprint” that helps scientists determine the identity and structure of a chemical.  

When combined with good-quality metadata (such as sampling location and time) and appropriate quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), HRMS data can be stored in databases and reused in the future. This allows scientists to reanalyse existing data, for example to search for newly recognised chemicals, without having to collect or analyse new samples.

A commonly used approach within NTS is suspect screening. In suspect screening, scientists search the NTS data for chemicals from predefined lists (called “suspect list”) that are relevant to a specific context, such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, PFAS, or substances regulated under REACH. The expected properties of these chemicals (such as mass or fragmentation patterns) are compared with the signals observed in the data. Expert judgement is needed to confirm results and to minimise false positive or false negatives. 

Within PARC, both suspect screening and non-target screening, including effect-direct analysis, are being applied to environmental, food as well as human biomonitoring samples. Furthermore, PARC is working to improve how NTS data are processed, managed and shared to improve the quality and comparability of this new type of data. This includes harmonising quality control procedures, developing user-friendly and data processing tools for SS/NTS, and providing training of these approaches and tools. These approached will be tested through a range of real-world case studies to demonstrate their value and applicability. Further information can be found here ↗, also from HBM4EU previous work here ↗ and here ↗.

Tools to better assess PFAS exposure

One important group of chemicals studied in the environmental and human biomonitoring activities of PARC is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This group of man-made chemicals are known for their ability to repel water, grease, and dirt. Because of these properties, they are widely used in everyday products such as outdoor clothing, non-stick kitchenware, firefighting foams, and many other applications. There are more than 4,700 different PFAS. These chemicals are very persistent, meaning they do not break down easily, and they can travel long distances in the environment. As a result, PFAS are found far away from where they are produced or used, including water, soil, wildlife, and humans.

Several are available to measure PFAS in humans and the environment. One approach is targeting analysis, which measures a small number of well-known PFAS. However, this method typically covers only around 40 substances and therefore captures only a small part of the total PFAS contamination. To address this limitation, more comprehensive methods are used. One such method is the Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay (TOPA). This method measures not only known PFAS but also so-called precursor substances, which can transform into PFAS over time. TOPA works by converting these precursor substances into PFAS that can be more easily measured, providing a more complete picture of overall PFAS contamination. Other complementary methods, such as Absorbable Organic Bound Fluorine (AOF) and Extractable Organically Bound Fluorine (EOF), measure the total amount of fluorine bound to organic substances in a sample. Since PFAS contains fluorine, these methods help capture PFAS as well as other fluorinated chemicals that may be present. Together, these methods (TOPA, AOF, and EOF) allow scientists to better assess the full range of PFAS and related substances in humans and the environment. In PARC, they are used alongside suspect screening and non-target approaches to improve our understanding of how PFAS move through the environment and how people may be exposed to them. At the same time, PARC evaluates the strengths and limitations of these methods to further improve monitoring strategies.  

Innovative methods in human biomonitoring

Innovative techniques and methods under consideration for human biomonitoring (HBM) include suspect and non-target screening (SS/NTS) a, self-sampling, non-invasive sampling and micro-sampling (e.g., dried-blood spots). Additional approaches include personal and environmental exposure assessment using sensors or wearable devices such aswristbands, as well as digital tools and apps (for example, to collect dietary information as an alternative or complement to questionnaires). Alternative biological matrices, including hair, saliva, placenta and meconium, are also being explored. In addition, the feasibility of using sentinel surveillance systems to collect European-level data on environmental and occupational exposure and health will be evaluated, building on their proven ability to generate reliable and statistically representative information.

To support human biomonitoring (HBM) surveys across diverse population groups (including the general public, vulnerable groups, and occupationally exposed populations), standardised materials will be developed, building on previous work done under HBM4EU. This includes the development of harmonised and easily accessible online questionnaires, translated collaboratively into national languages with support from the ‘synergies, collaboration and awareness’ team within PARC. These questionnaires will be tailored to specific age groups, target populations, vulnerable groups, and exposure scenarios (such as occupational exposures, specific chemicals, sources, and exposure routes). The goal is to facilitate the systematic collection of information on individual characteristics, behaviour, diet, and living environments.

Guidelines will also be developed for the harmonised collection of health outcome information, along with templates for informed consent (in coordination with WP1), Material Transfer Agreements, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering biological sample collection, storage, shipment, sample acceptance/rejection, and long-term preservation. Additionally, the implementation of innovative methods will be addressed as part of this work. All materials produce will be communicated to WP9 (T9.2) for inclusion in the HBM repository.