Trainings

• Workshop on Chemical Mixtures: Lessons we are learning from HBM4EU

An online training workshop on chemical mixtures took place on 14 and 15 October 2021. Led by Mirjam Luijten (RIVM), Erik Lebret (RIVM), Jelle Vlaanderen (IRAS), Andreas, Kortenkamp (BRUNEL) and Robert Barouki (INSERM), it focused on improving current procedures for risk assessment of chemical mixtures.

The aim was to discuss recommendations for further research and for policy development regarding chemical mixtures, using the insights and lessons being learned within HBM4EU. In this context, a series of of four pre-conference webinars were held for fHBM4EU partners and stakeholders. These involved:

1. Patterns in real-life exposures to mixtures; results from network analyses in WP15.1
2. Health risk from exposure to mixtures; results from the case studies in WP15.3
3. Suspect screening of mixtures; results from the SPECIMEn pesticide study in WP15.2
4. EC’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; context of mixture risk assessment and management

An online training workshop on ‘Obtaining health information for HBM studies from different sources’ organised by HBM4EU partners took place on the 4-5 October 2021 (afternoon sessions from 13:00 – 17:00 CET).

The training, led by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the School of Medicine Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM) University of Granada ((UGR, Spain) falls under WP11 –  Linking HBM, health surveys and registers and WP 14 – Effect biomarkers.

It focuses on different ways to obtain additional health information for a HBM study through combining it to the existing health survey, including collection and analysis of effect biomarkers, and possibilities to link HBM studies to administrative health registers/routine health data collections.

• how health information can be obtained for HBM studies
• what are effect biomarkers and how they could be obtained and used in HBM studies

Further information on the programme please click here.

“Cr(VI) is a carcinogen to which people may be exposed in the workplace. Although Cr(VI) compounds are subject to authorisation under Regulation (EC 1907/2006) concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction  of Chemicals (REACH), these compounds are still widely used in different applications, especially in surface treatment of different metallic objects. In addition, workers may be exposed to Cr(VI) formed during hot processes, such as welding.

HBM4EU chromate study evaluated the occupational exposure to Cr(VI) in surface treatment activities and welding in eight different countries in Europe. The study included approximately 40 companies and in total of almost 580 workers and control subjects.  Research brief of the study is available here.

The first results of the study are presented in this webinar targeted specifically to industry, workers representatives, regulatory agencies and policy makers. The specific objectives of the webinar are:

• Inform on the results of the HBM4EU Chromate study.
• Give recommendations to workplaces on the monitoring of CrVI exposure.
• Provide information that support policy action.
• Support the science to policy framework.