Projects / Programmes
Exposure of children and adolescents to selected chemicals through their habitat environment
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.08.00 |
Medical sciences |
Public health (occupational safety) |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B680 |
Biomedical sciences |
Public health, epidemiology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.03 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Health sciences |
Exposure to chemicals, children and adolescents, human biomonitoring
Researchers (23)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Improper use and handling of chemicals, their residues and waste containing chemicals, consumption of contaminated food, drinking water and objects in general use, which contain chemicals even in small concentrations (eg. cosmetics, toys), can have a negative impact on health. In addition to the properties of the chemical, their exposure route and the relationship between dose and effect, the negative impacts also depend on the genetic susceptibility, age, gender, occupation, dietary habits, general heath states of the exposed organism. Pregnant women, children and adolescents constitute a particularly vulnerable population groups, in which the growth and development of the organism and specific physiological characteristics of the impact of harmful chemical can be even more pronounced than in other population groups. The project will develop a methodological approach to determine the exposure of children to selected chemicals through the living environment, to assess the burden on children and adolescents with these chemicals and health risk assessment in selected geographical areas of Slovenia. The chemicals selected are based on data from previous studies in Slovenia and in Europe and are also in line with the priorities to which the expert groups currently devote most attention. These chemicals include, in particular compounds that cause hormonal disorders and may also act neurotoxic: bisphenols, phthalates, brominated flame retardants, and chemicals contained in for personal care products such as parabens and triclosan. We will also assess the exposure to toxic and potentially toxic and essential chemical elements.
The main purpose of the project is to provide support to activities in the field of reducing exposure to selected chemicals in children and adolescents in the living environment. The project will also develop a methodological approach, based on the harmonized human biomonitoring, which ensures a correct assessment of the exposure of children and adolescents to selected chemicals through the living environment. The first phase of the project is conceptual in nature in which we will prepare detailed Protocols for selection of geographical areas and the number of subjects recruited through primary and secondary schools. We will determine the quality requirements for analytical methods and perform detailed QA/QC programme. The protocol will also include the preparation of questionaires, which are crucial to the subsequent interpretation of the results. The second phase of the project includes sampling of biological material (urine, blood and hair) and chemical analysis. The third phase is the biostatistical processing of the results, followed by the interpretation and risk assessment steps. The final phase will assess the burden of children and adolescents with selected chemicals and evaluate whether this burden may have an impact on their health and development. Throughout the duration of the project activities for professional awareness raising will be implemented at the level of participants and the general population, experts and decision-makers. We will also prepare recommendations for action at the individual level and at the policy level.
The results of the research will:
- set up a framework methodology for the assessment of exposure and intake of new substances in the body (the type and method of sampling, taking samples, the analyst) and the evaluation of the exposure and the burden of specifically studied substance;
- allow the identification of the level of exposure of children and adolescents substances that pose a risk to their health;
- allow the identification of possible sources of exposure in relation to the living environment and assessing their potential impact on health (risk assessment)
- provide support for the adoption of political decisions on measures to reduce the exposure of the Slovenian population to selected chemicals
- allow assessment of the
Significance for science
In the area of public health domain the proper understanding of the pathways and levels of exposure of hazardous chemicals are high on the priority list. The proposed project addresses exposure of priority substances and their mixtures in susceptible population of children and adolscence. The results obtained ??will be compared with results elsewhere in the world, in order to determine whether the concentrations of the biomarkers are comparable to Europe and/or reaching levels where the negative effects can be expected. The data will allow the interpretation of the results taking into account the different lifestyle in indoor and outdoor environments. When these data are connected with data on health status and potential health effects a good basis for further studies on risk assessments areestablished. Such an approach is essential for creating policies in the field of public health. Selected chemicals are among priority also in Europe and elsewhere in the world, so the results will be of broader European interest. The study will deal with priority chemicals, which are the subject of numerous studies. In addition to the usefulness of the results in the context of the scientific and technically supported risk assessments, we will develop a national infrastructure for the development of new analytical methods based on the use of a small volume of a biological sample and less time consuming procedures. This will contribute to the development of affordable and effective methods for HBM by covering the broadest possible spectrum of chemicals that are on the priority list. We expects to publish very good scientific papers in journals with high IF in the area of environment and health. The topics proposed are of high interest in the international environment, therefore the results will contribute significantly to the knowledge base internationally.
In addition, we shall publish the results of this study to the medical sector in Slovenia through professional and scientific meetings and national journals with IF factor. This is important for long-term and sustainable cooperation where researchers from medical sector, and public health sectors need to meet.
Significance for the country
The environment and health is an importntn component of the public health domain. Pregnant women, children and adolescents constitute a particularly vulnerable population groups, in which the growth and development of the organism and specific physiological characteristics of the impact of harmful chemical can be even more pronounced than in other population groups. In order to encourage efforts to reduce exposure to harmful substances, the World Health Organization for the territory of the region, at its 5th Ministerial Conference, 2010, in Parma, adopted a strategy for the health of children and adolescents in relation to the environment. This strategy was the basis for the Strategy for the health of children and adolescents in relation to the environment, 2012-2020 (http://www.mz.gov.si/uploads/media/strategija_zdravje_otrok_040212.pdf) by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted on 1.12. 2011. The strategy was prepared by the Intergovernmental Working Group of State Secretaries for the implementation of the commitments of the Ministerial Conference in Parma. On the basis of this strategy Action Plan was elaborated, which identifies concrete tasks to sectors and stakeholders by 2020. Risk assessment for the development and health of children and adolescents due to exposure to chemicals is essential for all further activities and a prerequisite for the successful implementation of the commitments strategies for the health of children and adolescents. The project will develop a methodological approach to determine the exposure of children to selected chemicals through the living environment, to assess the burden on children and adolescents with these chemicals and health risk assessment.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2016,
2018,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2016,
2018,
final report
