Browsing by Author "Barouki, Robert"
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- Application of human biomonitoring data to support policy development, raise awareness and environmental public health protection among countries within the HBM4EU projectPublication . Ubong, Dorothy; Stewart, Lorraine; Sepai, Ovnair; Knudsen, Lisbeth E.; Berman, Tamar; Reynders, Hans; Van Campenhout, Karen; Katsonouri, Andromachi; Van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Ingelido, Anna Maria; Castaño, Argelia; Pedraza-Díaz, Susana; Eiríksdóttir, Ása Valgerður; Thomsen, Cathrine; Hartmann, Christina; Gjorgjev, Dragan; De Felip, Elena; Tolonen, Hanna; Santonen, Tiina; klanova, Jana; Norström, Karin; Kononenko, Lijana; Silva, Maria João; Uhl, Maria; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Apel, Petra; Jõemaa, Merli; Jajcaj, Michal; Estokova, Milada; Luijten, Mirjam; Lebret, Erik; von Goetz, Natalie; Holcer, Natasa Janev; Probst-Hensch, Nicole; Cavaleiro, Rita; Barouki, Robert; Tarroja, Elena; Balčienė, Rosita Marija; Strumylaite, Loreta; Latvala, Siiri; Namorado, Sónia; Szigeti, Tamás; Ingi Halldorsson, Thorhallur; Olafsdottir, Kristin; Wasowicz, Wojciech; Viegas, Susana; Alvito, PaulaMost countries have acknowledged the importance of assessing and quantifying their population’s internal exposure from chemicals in air, water, soil, food and other consumer products due to the potential health and economic impact. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a valuable tool which can be used to quantify such exposures and effects. Results from HBM studies can also contribute to improving public health by providing evidence of individuals’ internal chemical exposure as well as data to understand the burden of disease and associated costs thereby stimulating the development and implementation of evidence-based policy. To have a holistic view on HBM data utilisation, a multi-case research approach was used to explore the use of HBM data to support national chemical regulations, protect public health and raise awareness among countries participating in the HBM4EU project. The Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) Initiative (https://www.hbm4eu.eu/) is a collaborative effort involving 30 countries, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission (contracting authority) to harmonise procedures across Europe and advance research into the understanding of the health impacts of environmental chemical exposure. One of the aims of the project was to use HBM data to support evidence based chemical policy and make this information timely and directly available for policy makers and all partners. The main data source for this article was the narratives collected from 27 countries within the HBM4EU project. The countries (self-selection) were grouped into 3 categories in terms of HBM data usage either for public awareness, policy support or for the establishment HBM programme. Narratives were analysed/summarised using guidelines and templates that focused on ministries involved in or advocating for HBM; steps required to engage policy makers; barriers, drivers and opportunities in developing a HBM programme. The narratives reported the use of HBM data either for raising awareness or addressing environmental/public health issues and policy development. The ministries of Health and Environment were reported to be the most prominent entities advocating for HBM, the involvement of several authorities/institutions in the national hubs was also cited to create an avenue to interact, discuss and gain the attention of policy makers. Participating in European projects and the general population interest in HBM studies were seen as drivers and opportunities in developing HBM programmes. A key barrier that was cited by countries for establishing and sustaining national HBM programmes was funding which is mainly due to the high costs associated with the collection and chemical analysis of human samples. Although challenges and barriers still exist, most countries within Europe were already conversant with the benefits and opportunities of HBM. This article offers important insights into factors associated with the utilisation of HBM data for policy support and public awareness.
- Consultation on a sustainable HBM initiative in Europe - Deliverable Report D6.3 WP6 Sustainability and Capacity building.Publication . Ganzleben, Catherine; Vicente, Joana Lobo; Barouki, Robert; Tarroja, Elena; Silva, Maria João; Isidro, Glória; Louro, Henriqueta; Katsonouri, Andromachi; Reynders, Hans; Campenhout, Karen Van; Mampaey, Maja; Sepai, Ovnair; Virgolino, AnaThis deliverable was produced under Task 6.3 of Work Package 6 on “Longer-term needs and expectations of stakeholders (2021-2030)”. The aim of this task was to gather information on the needs and expectations of both the National Hubs (NH) and a broad range of stakeholders regarding a long-term Human Biomonitoring (HBM) programme for Europe, to be establish in follow up to the current project, HBM4EU. Firstly and with a focus on options for financing a future initiative, information was collected on a range of available funding mechanisms at national, regional and international level. In terms of national funding, the results presented rely on responses to a survey with the NH. Unfortunately, the response from NHs was very limited, and as such the report only captures funding mechanisms from a limited number of countries, including Portugal, Spain, France, Germany and Cyprus. In order to gain insight into the status of the National Hubs and their capacities for HBM, a survey was conducted. The results provide an overview of the current situation across the NHs with regards to a range of aspects, including the level of activity of the NH, status of political support, availability of funding, ongoing HBM studies and willingness to align studies with HBM4EU. The results suggest that HBM4EU has raised the political profile of HBM in partner countries. Regarding ongoing HBM studies, only six countries have national HBM programmes, with most countries having only hot spot studies. Despite this, there was support for the alignment of studies to achieve European geographical coverage. Regarding funding, access to European funding is seen as important to leverage funds at national level. A second survey was targeted at a wide range of stakeholders, aiming to better understand their expectations for a long-term sustainable HBM initiative. The survey was followed by a workshop, where a more limited number of stakeholders had the opportunity to discuss the survey results and address such aspects as the scope of a future initiative, how to achieve financial sustainability, how to involve and how a future initiative might contribute to chemical policies. Concerning the needs and expectations of stakeholders, there is a strong interest in and support for a future HBM initiative at European level. The involvement of a European Union (EU) institution as part of a future steering committee was seen as crucial. According to this stakeholders’ consultation, the initiative should focus on protecting human health and the environment in Europe from hazardous chemical exposures by producing harmonised, high quality, transparent and inclusive data for effective risk assessment and management.
- Developing human biomonitoring as a 21st century toolbox within the European exposure science strategy 2020-2030Publication . Zare Jeddi, Maryam; Hopf, Nancy B.; Louro, Henriqueta; Viegas, Susana; Galea, Karen S.; Pasanen-Kase, Robert; Santonen, Tiina; Mustieles, Vicente; Fernandez, Mariana F.; Verhagen, Hans; Bopp, Stephanie K.; Antignac, Jean Philippe; David, Arthur; Mol, Hans; Barouki, Robert; Audouze, Karine; Duca, Radu-Corneliu; Fantke, Peter; Scheepers, Paul; Ghosh, Manosij; Van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Lobo Vicente, Joana; Trier, Xenia; Rambaud, Loïc; Fillol, Clémence; Denys, Sebastien; Conrad, André; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Paini, Alicia; Arnot, Jon; Schulze, Florian; Jones, Kate; Sepai, Ovnair; Ali, Imran; Brennan, Lorraine; Benfenati, Emilio; Cubadda, Francesco; Mantovani, Alberto; Bartonova, Alena; Connolly, Alison; Slobodnik, Jaroslav; Bruinen de Bruin, Yuri; van Klaveren, Jacob; Palmen, Nicole; Dirven, Hubert; Husøy, Trine; Thomsen, Cathrine; Virgolino, Ana; Röösli, Martin; Gant, Tim; von Goetz, Natalie; Bessems, JosHuman biomonitoring (HBM) is a crucial approach for exposure assessment, as emphasised in the European Commission’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). HBM can help to improve chemical policies in five major key areas: (1) assessing internal and aggregate exposure in different target populations; 2) assessing exposure to chemicals across life stages; (3) assessing combined exposure to multiple chemicals (mixtures); (4) bridging regulatory silos on aggregate exposure; and (5) enhancing the effectiveness of risk management measures. In this strategy paper we propose a vision and a strategy for the use of HBM in chemical regulations and public health policy in Europe and beyond. We outline six strategic objectives and a roadmap to further strengthen HBM approaches and increase their implementation in the regulatory risk assessment of chemicals to enhance our understanding of exposure and health impacts, enabling timely and targeted policy interventions and risk management. These strategic objectives are: 1) further development of sampling strategies and sample preparation; 2) further development of chemical-analytical HBM methods; 3) improving harmonisation throughout the HBM research life cycle; 4) further development of quality control / quality assurance throughout the HBM research life cycle; 5) obtain sustained funding and reinforcement by legislation; and 6) extend target-specific communication with scientists, policymakers, citizens and other stakeholders. HBM approaches are essential in risk assessment to address scientific, regulatory and societal challenges. HBM requires full and strong support from the scientific and regulatory domain to reach its full potential in public and occupational health assessment and in regulatory decision-making.
- Harmonized human biomonitoring in European children, teenagers and adults: EU-wide exposure data of 11 chemical substance groups from the HBM4EU Aligned Studies (2014-2021)Publication . Govarts, Eva; Gilles, Liese; Rodriguez Martin, Laura; Santonen, Tiina; Apel, Petra; Alvito, Paula; Anastasi, Elena; Andersen, Helle Raun; Andersson, Anna-Maria; Andryskova, Lenka; ANTIGNAC, Jean-Philippe; Rüther, Maria; Sarigiannis, Denis; Silva, Maria João; Šlejkovec, Zdenka; Snoj Tratnik, Janja; Stajnko, Anja; Szigeti, Tamas; Tarazona, Jose; Thomsen, Cathrine; Tkalec, Žiga; Trnovec, Tomas; Tolonen, Hanna; Uhl, Maria; Van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Vasco, Elsa; Verheyen, Veerle J.; Viegas, Susana; Vinggaard, Anne Marie; Vogel, Nina; Vorkamp, Katrin; Wasowicz, Wojciech; Wimmerova, Sona; Weber, Till; Woutersen, Marjolijn; Zimmermann, Philipp; Zvonar, Martin; Koch, Holger; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Esteban López, Marta; Castano, Argelia; Stewart, Lorraine; Sepai, Ovnair; Appenzeller, Brice; Schoeters, Greta; Barbone, Fabio; Barnett-Itzhaki, Zohar; Barouki, Robert; Berman, Tamar; Bil, Wieneke; Borges, Teresa; Buekers, Jurgen; Cañas-Portilla, Ana; Covaci, Adrian; Csako, Zsofia; Den Hond, Elly; Dvorakova, Darina; Fabelova, Lucia; Fletcher, Tony; Frederiksen, Hanne; Gabriel, Catherine; Ganzleben, Catherine; Göen, Thomas; Halldorsson, Thorhallur; Haug, Line Småstuen; Horvat, Milena; Huuskonen, Pasi; Imboden, Medea; Jagodic Hudobivnik, Marta; Janasik, Beata; Janev Holcer, Natasa; Karakitsios, Spyros; Katsonouri, Andromachi; Klanova, Jana; Kokaraki, Venetia; Kold Jensen, Tina; Koponen, Jani; Laeremans, Michelle; Laguzzi, Federica; Lange, Rosa; Lemke, Nora; Lignell, Sanna; Lindroos, Anna Karin; Lobo Vicente, Joana; Luijten, Mirjam; Makris, Konstantinos C.; Mazej, Darja; Melymuk, Lisa; Meslin, Matthieu; Mol, Hans; Montazeri, Parisa; Murawski, Aline; Namorado, Sónia; Niemann, Lars; Nübler, Stefanie; Nunes, Baltazar; Olafsdottir, Kristin; Palkovicova Murinova, Lubica; Papaioannou, Nafsika; Pedraza-Diaz, Susana; Piler, Pavel; Plichta, Veronika; Poteser, Michael; Probst-Hensch, Nicole; Rambaud, Loic; Rauscher-Gabernig, Elke; Rausova, Katarina; Remy, Sylvie; Riou, Margaux; Rosolen, Valentina; Rousselle, ChristopheAbstract: As one of the core elements of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) a human biomonitoring (HBM) survey was conducted in 23 countries to generate EU-wide comparable HBM data. This survey has built on existing HBM capacity in Europe by aligning national or regional HBM studies, referred to as the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. The HBM4EU Aligned Studies included a total of 10,795 participants of three age groups: (i) 3,576 children aged 6–12 years, (ii) 3,117 teenagers aged 12–18 years and (iii) 4,102 young adults aged 20–39 years. The participants were recruited between 2014 and 2021 in 11–12 countries per age group, geographically distributed across Europe. Depending on the age group, internal exposure to phthalates and the substitute DINCH, halogenated and organophosphorus flame retardants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), cadmium, bisphenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), arsenic species, acrylamide, mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol (total DON)), benzophenones and selected pesticides was assessed by measuring substance specific biomarkers subjected to stringent quality control programs for chemical analysis. For substance groups analyzed in different age groups higher average exposure levels were observed in the youngest age group, i.e., phthalates/DINCH in children versus teenagers, acrylamide and pesticides in children versus adults, benzophenones in teenagers versus adults. Many biomarkers in teenagers and adults varied significantly according to educational attainment, with higher exposure levels of bisphenols, phthalates, benzophenones, PAHs and acrylamide in participants (from households) with lower educational attainment, while teenagers from households with higher educational attainment have higher exposure levels for PFASs and arsenic. In children, a social gradient was only observed for the non-specific pyrethroid metabolite 3-PBA and di-isodecyl phthalate (DiDP), with higher levels in children from households with higher educational attainment. Geographical variations were seen for all exposure biomarkers. For 15 biomarkers, the available health-based HBM guidance values were exceeded with highest exceedance rates for toxicologically relevant arsenic in teenagers (40%), 3-PBA in children (36%), and between 11 and 14% for total DON, Σ (PFOA + PFNA + PFHxS + PFOS), bisphenol S and cadmium. The infrastructure and harmonized approach succeeded in obtaining comparable European wide internal exposure data for a prioritized set of 11 chemical groups. These data serve as a reference for comparison at the global level, provide a baseline to compare the efficacy of the European Commission's chemical strategy for sustainability and will give leverage to national policy makers for the implementation of targeted measures.
- HBM4EU - Deliverable Report D 6.2. Revised set of key indicatorsPublication . Reynders, Hans; Van Campenhout, Karen; Mampaey, Maja; Gilles, Liese; Colles, Ann; Baken, Kirsten; Bessems, Jos; Schoeters, Greet; Ay, Derya; Lobo Vicente, Joana; Ganzleben, Catherine; Isidro, Glória; Louro, Henriqueta; Silva, Maria João; Uhl, Maria; Ubong, Dorothy; Sepai, Ovnair; Tarroja, Elena; Persoz, Charles; Barouki, Robert; Kobosil, Nicole; David, Madlen; Appel, Petra; Kolossa, Marike; Coertjens, Dries; Crabbé, Ann; Loots, Ilse; Covaci, Adrian; Antignac, Jean-Philippe; Debrauwer, Laurent; Fernandez, Mariana; Berglund, Marika; Blaha, Ludek; Esteban López, Marta; Scheepers, Paul; Tolonen, Hanna; Nørager., SofieThe current deliverable describes the process of revision of the first list of indicators (published in June 2017 as D6.1.) and presents the indicator leaflets ((see attachment 1) that link key results of HBM4EU to the objectives of the project as laid down in the description of action. These indicator leaflets already contain a lot of results on the revised list of indicators, and give very valuable information on the progress of HBM4EU in relation to the specific goals of the project. Combining the information from these leaflets in the frame of expected impacts will allow us to put forward conclusions towards impact and sustainability of HBM4EU. As such, this restructured list answers to the main comments on the first list of indicators from the task 6.5 partners, the Management Board, the Governing Board and the EU Policy Board, in concretu to: • Drastically reduce the number of indicators from 48 indicators (including 9 internal indicators) on the first list to 28 indicators on the revised list without losing essential information. Moreover by bundling related indicators we now have 22 indicator leaflets (and 1 overview leaflet); • Make the relationship between the indicators and the goals of HBM4EU more clear by structuring the list of indicators according to the overarching objectives and specific goals; • Use the indicators to say something about the impact of the HBM4EU project: the indicator leaflets were used to give input for the impact section of the periodic technical reporting 2018 to describe the progress made for the 5 expected impacts of HBM4EU. This exercise will be continued and ameliorated in the 2019 periodic technical reporting as more indicator leaflets will be available compared to 2018; • Link the indicators with the work on sustainability of HBM in Europe: the indicators were presented at the sustainability workshop in Paris. Participants indicated that they think the leaflets will be useful for institutional discussions, national hub meetings, meetings with policy makers and other meetings and that they would like to use them as soon as they are available. The added value of having indicators of success, is to monitor the implementation and achieved impact of HBM4EU. This will allow for a more efficient tracking of achieved goals. This deliverable will help to further optimize and revise the first set of indicators to monitor the implementation of the HBM4EU and the achieved impact. The indicators of success are written in a clear language, they are concise and capture the main achievements in the list of indicators that has been agreed amongst the partners. Therefore, they can be easily used by all partners across the consortium, the EU Policy Board and our HBM4EU ambassador Thomas Jackl.
- A human biomonitoring (HBM) Global Registry Framework: Further advancement of HBM research following the FAIR principlesPublication . Zare Jeddi, Maryam; Virgolino, Ana; Fantke, Peter; Hopf, Nancy B.; Galea, Karen S.; Remy, Sylvie; Viegas, Susana; Mustieles, Vicente; Fernandez, Mariana F.; von Goetz, Natalie; Vicente, Joana Lobo; Slobodnik, Jaroslav; Rambaud, Loïc; Denys, Sébastien; St-Amand, Annie; Nakayama, Shoji F.; Santonen, Tiina; Barouki, Robert; Pasanen-Kase, Robert; Mol, Hans G.J.; Vermeire, Theo; Jones, Kate; Silva, Maria João; Louro, Henriqueta; van der Voet, Hilko; Duca, Radu-Corneliu; Verhagen, Hans; Canova, Cristina; van Klaveren, Jacob; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Bessems, JosData generated by the rapidly evolving human biomonitoring (HBM) programmes are providing invaluable opportunities to support and advance regulatory risk assessment and management of chemicals in occupational and environmental health domains. However, heterogeneity across studies, in terms of design, terminology, biomarker nomenclature, and data formats, limits our capacity to compare and integrate data sets retrospectively (reuse). Registration of HBM studies is common for clinical trials; however, the study designs and resulting data collections cannot be traced easily. We argue that an HBM Global Registry Framework (HBM GRF) could be the solution to several of challenges hampering the (re)use of HBM (meta)data. The aim is to develop a global, host-independent HBM registry framework based on the use of harmonised open-access protocol templates from designing, undertaking of an HBM study to the use and possible reuse of the resulting HBM (meta)data. This framework should apply FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) principles as a core data management strategy to enable the (re)use of HBM (meta)data to its full potential through the data value chain. Moreover, we believe that implementation of FAIR principles is a fundamental enabler for digital transformation within environmental health. The HBM GRF would encompass internationally harmonised and agreed open access templates for HBM study protocols, structured web-based functionalities to deposit, find, and access harmonised protocols of HBM studies. Registration of HBM studies using the HBM GRF is anticipated to increase FAIRness of the resulting (meta)data. It is also considered that harmonisation of existing data sets could be performed retrospectively. As a consequence, data wrangling activities to make data ready for analysis will be minimised. In addition, this framework would enable the HBM (inter)national community to trace new HBM studies already in the planning phase and their results once finalised. The HBM GRF could also serve as a platform enhancing communication between scientists, risk assessors, and risk managers/policy makers. The planned European Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC) work along these lines, based on the experience obtained in previous joint European initiatives. Therefore, PARC could very well bring a first demonstration of first essential functionalities within the development of the HBM GRF.
- New approach methodologies to enhance human health risk assessment of immunotoxic properties of chemicals - a PARC (Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals) projectPublication . Snapkow, Igor; Smith, Nicola M.; Arnesdotter, Emma; Beekmann, Karsten; Blanc, Etienne B.; Braeuning, Albert; Corsini, Emanuela; Sollner Dolenc, Marija; Duivenvoorde, Loes P.M.; Sundstøl Eriksen, Gunnar; Franko, Nina; Galbiati, Valentina; Gostner, Johanna M.; Grova, Nathalie; Gutleb, Arno C.; Hargitai, Rita; Janssen, Aafke W.F.; Krapf, Solveig A.; Lindeman, Birgitte; Lumniczky, Katalin; Maddalon, Ambra; Mollerup, Steen; Parráková, Lucia; Pierzchalski, Arkadiusz; Pieters, Raymond H.H.; Silva, Maria Joao; Solhaug, Anita; Staal, Yvonne C.M.; Straumfors, Anne; Szatmári, Tünde; Turner, Jonathan D.; Vandebriel, Rob J.; Zenclussen, Ana Claudia; Barouki, RobertAs a complex system governing and interconnecting numerous functions within the human body, the immune system is unsurprisingly susceptible to the impact of toxic chemicals. Toxicants can influence the immune system through a multitude of mechanisms, resulting in immunosuppression, hypersensitivity, increased risk of autoimmune diseases and cancer development. At present, the regulatory assessment of the immunotoxicity of chemicals relies heavily on rodent models and a limited number of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guidelines, which only capture a fraction of potential toxic properties. Due to this limitation, various authorities, including the World Health Organization and the European Food Safety Authority have highlighted the need for the development of novel approaches without the use of animals for immunotoxicity testing of chemicals. In this paper, we present a concise overview of ongoing efforts dedicated to developing and standardizing methodologies for a comprehensive characterization of the immunotoxic effects of chemicals, which are performed under the EU-funded Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC).
- The value of Human Biomonitoring to assess chemical exposure and support policies: perceptions of the European populationPublication . Namorado, Sónia; Katsonour, Andromachi; Reynders, Hans; Mampaey, Maja; Tarroja, Elena; Barouki, Robert; Louro, Henriqueta; Isidro, Glória; Silva, Maria João; Bourqui, Martine; Von Goetz, Natalie; Sepai, Ovnair; Lobo Vicente, JoanaBACKGROUND AND AIM:The development of Human Biomonitoring (HBM) surveys is highly dependent on the cooperation and engagement of the individuals being sampled. As such, in the context of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) an online citizen survey was conducted in Europe to gain insights into the perceptions of the population about HBM and exposure to chemicals. METHODS:The survey was undertaken between September 2020 and February 2021 and was available in the languages of all 30 HBM4EU-participating countries (EU, associated countries, Israel) through the HBM4EU website. Dissemination was done by the HBM4EU country representatives (National Hub Contact Points). RESULTS:Responses were received from 5391 participants. Around half were 35-54 years old and the majority were female, with higher education and employed. Concerning the perception of the respondents on HBM, the majority considers it should be done (81.7%), even if the chemicals are considered well managed. Most participants consider it a reliable method (84.0%) that should be performed more often (87.3%) and be more coordinated either at a European (86.2%) or at a national level (83.7%). The large majority of the respondents thinks that HBM results are important to evaluate the chemical exposure of the population (96.2%), to study the health impact of chemical exposure (96.3%) and to support the development of health policies (94.9%). The respondents also consider HBM results highly relevant to raise awareness and promote understanding of the impact of chemical exposure amongst the general population (94.3%), health professionals and policy makers. CONCLUSIONS:The use of HBM as a tool to assess human exposure to chemicals, allowing its management and health protection, was well perceived by respondents across Europe. Furthermore, the need for more studies conducted in a coordinated way was indicated. Future work should comprise population groups less represented here and should also attempt to understand how perceptions change over time.