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Project Code [2015-HW-MS-4]
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Project title
Elucidating Levels and Pathways of Human Exposure in Ireland to POP-BFRs and PFOS (ELEVATE)
Primary Funding Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
n/a
Lead Organisation
University of Birmingham
Lead Applicant
Stuart Harrad
Project Abstract
ELEVATE conducts the first study of PBDEs, HBCDDs, and PFOS in indoor air and dust from common microenvironments frequented by the Irish population (cars, primary school classrooms, homes, and offices), along with the inaugural study of PFOS in Irish tap water and bottled water. Data produced will be combined with the existing FSAI database on Irish dietary exposure to facilitate evaluation - inter alia by pharmacokinetic modelling - of the relative contribution of these different exposure pathways to current body burdens in the Irish population. To provide the most up-to-date information on body burdens, a study will be conducted to measure concentrations of PBDEs, HBCDDs, and PFOS in 10 pooled samples of human milk from Dublin and Galway. By replicating as far as possible the sampling strategy of the earlier Pratt et al (2013) study of Irish human milk, ELEVATE will also examine the evidence for possible temporal reductions in human body burdens in Ireland in response to actions (both legislative and voluntary) designed to reduce human exposure over the last decade. ELEVATE will contribute to research capacity building in Ireland by means of knowledge transfer between the POPs research group at the University of Birmingham and NUIG. In particular, the PhD student at NUIG will gain substantial training in the techniques and strategies of human exposure assessment with specific application to POPs. Both participating groups have excellent track records in publishing the results of their research and ELEVATE will be no different. Four publications in high-ranked peer-reviewed journals are envisaged, with the communications budget used to ensure open-access publication. Research results and their implications will also be disseminated via presentations at national and international conferences, as well as the project website. A 1 day workshop will be held to disseminate findings to relevant stakeholders, and lay non-technical summaries will be generated for project participants.
Grant Approved
�335,564.37
Research Hub
Healthy Environment
Research Theme
Health and well being
Initial Projected Completion Date
28/02/2019