Policy briefs
In 2022, we produced final policy briefs for all HBM4EU priority substances/groups that build on the latest research and capture legislation updates and future needs. Consult the policy briefs here.
Research briefs
In 2020, a series of research briefs aimed at informing scientists and policymakers will be published with updates on specific areas in the HBM4EU project.
These research briefs are already available for:
- Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) in English
- Priority Substances and Cancer in English
- The European Human Biomonitoring (HBM) Laboratory Network: a key for improving chemical analysis applied in human biomonitoring in English
- HBM4EU Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM): HBM aggregated data on copper in English
- Timelines of opportunity: How HBM4EU can support chemicals management policy in English
- Biomarkers of effect in English, Español, Česky, Dansk, Deutsch, Nederlands, Eesti, Suomi, Français, Ελληνικά, עברית, Hrvatski, Magyar, Íslenska, Gaeilge, Italiano, Latviešu, Lietuvių, Mакедонски, Norsk, Polski, Português, Slovenčina, Slovenščina, Svenska,
- Pesticides in English
- Occupational exposure to chromium in English
- HBM4EU work on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in English
Reports
- Chemicals in a circular economy: Using human biomonitoring to understand potential new exposures. This report was a collaborative effort of the EEA and HBM4EU partners aimed at exploring new pathways through which humans can be exposed to hazardous chemicals as a result of a circular economy. Read the full report here.
- The role of human biomonitoring in assessing and managing chemical risks in the Nordic countries. HBM4EU and its continuation in PARC. Please click here to read it. This report followed the Nordic workshop in March, on how to optimize the communication between scientists and authorities regarding use of HBM data in a regulatory context, with special attention given to the upcoming PARC initiative, and to promote Nordic collaborations in science and training.
- Rapid Response Mechanism
- In October 2018, DG SANTE submitted to HBM4EU an urgent request for information related to Copper (Cu) compounds, via the online Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). This request relates to the renewal of approval of Copper compounds as active substances for plant protection products. HBM4EU was requested to assess human biomonitoring data and to establish whether all Cu compounds are similarly absorbed and excreted, whether Cu compounds used as plant protection products are more contributing to the burden than other sources and whether a cumulative exposure assessment can realistically bring an added-value to the risk assessment of Cu.
The results’ report is available here.
- In October 2018, DG SANTE submitted to HBM4EU an urgent request for information related to Copper (Cu) compounds, via the online Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). This request relates to the renewal of approval of Copper compounds as active substances for plant protection products. HBM4EU was requested to assess human biomonitoring data and to establish whether all Cu compounds are similarly absorbed and excreted, whether Cu compounds used as plant protection products are more contributing to the burden than other sources and whether a cumulative exposure assessment can realistically bring an added-value to the risk assessment of Cu.
Aligned studies
Within HBM4EU (ongoing) HBM studies are aligned and brought together under the joint HBM4EU survey to collect recent exposure data of EU citizens. The joint HBM4EU survey targets 3 age groups children (6-11 years), teenagers (12-19 years) and adults (20-39 years). Depending on the age group, internal exposure to phthalates and substitute Hexamoll® DINCH, brominated and organophosphorus flame retardants, per-/poly- fluorinated compounds (PFAS), cadmium (cd), bisphenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), arsenic species, pesticides, mycotoxins, acrylamide and UV-filters (benzophenones) will be assessed.
The first results from the aligned studies are expected in 2021.
For the communication and dissemination of results other than scientific articles a workflow has been developed detailing a stepwise approach that should be followed to ensure all relevant partners are included in the process.
A timeline of when the data from the aligned studies is expected can be consulted here
Information on the procedure how to get access to the data can be consulted here
Disclaimer
The HBM4EU project was launched in 2016 with the aim of improving the collective understanding of human exposure to hazardous chemicals and developing HBM as an exposure assessment method. The project had €74m in funding and jointly implemented by 120 partners from 28 participating countries – 24 EU member states plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Israel and the European Environment Agency. One of its aims was to ensure the sustainability of HBM in the EU beyond 2021. The project ended in June 2022. The website will not be updated any longer, except the page on peer reviewed publications, but will be online until 2032.
