Table 1.
Mapping EU research project contributions to elements of Mixture Risk Assessment (MRA).
| Project acronym | EDC-MixRisk | EuroMix | HBM4EU | SOLUTIONS | EUToxRisk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project title | Integrating Epidemiology and Experimental Biology to Improve Risk Assessment of Exposure to Mixtures of Endocrine Disruptive Compounds; | A tiered strategy for risk assessment of mixtures of multiple chemicals | Coordinating and advancing human biomonitoring in Europe to provide evidence for chemical policy making | SOLUTIONS for present and future emerging pollutants in land and water resources management | An Integrated European ‘Flagship’ Program Driving Mechanism-based Toxicity Testing and Risk Assessment for the 21st Century |
| Duration | 2015–2019 | 2015–2019 | 2017–2021 | 2013–2018 | 2016–2021 |
| Webpage | http://edcmixrisk.ki.se/ | http://www.euromixproject.eu/ | https://www.hbm4eu.eu/ | http://www.solutions-project.eu/ | http://www.eu-toxrisk.eu/ |
| Human health | x | x | x | x | x |
| Environmental Health | x | ||||
| Specifically addressing mixturesa | x | x | x | x | a |
| Gathering and/or generating exposure data | x | x | x | ||
| - Human biomonitoring | x | x | x | ||
| - Environmental monitoring | x | ||||
| Developing tools for exposure assessment | |||||
| - Aggregate exposure | x | x | |||
| - Combined exposure | x MCRA | Bio- & chemo-analytical tools for environmental monitoring | |||
| Focus on specific chemicals or effects | Endocrine disrupting chemicals; growth + metabolism, neurodevelopment, sexual development | Chemical regulated under different legislation (pesticides, additives and contaminants) and some cosmetic ingredients; liver + developmental toxicity and endocrine effects | Phthalates and Hexamoll® DINCH, bisphenols, per-/poly-fluorinated compounds, flame retardants, cadmium and chromium, PAHs, aniline family, chemical mixtures, and emerging substances | Wide range of common and emerging chemicals, including river basin-specific pollutants for the Danube | Repeated dose systemic toxicity, with lung, kidney, liver and nervous system as examples of potential target organs; and developmental and reproductive toxicity |
| Developing and using new approach methodologies for MRA | Integration of epidemiological data, in vitro and in vivo end points. | In vitro and in silico toolbox; verification against in vivo | Bioanalytical tools | In silico and in vitro toolbox; high throughput transcriptomics; biokinetics; PBPK modelling | |
| Grouping of chemicals in effect based assessment groups | Using epidemiological data to identify chemicals affecting specific human health domains | Using AOP-networks | Data driven and using AOP-networks | Using in vitro MoA screens for whole water sample testing; Using available evidence on MoAs of aquatic pollutants for component-based approaches |
Based on AOP and refined MoA analysis and read across |
| Generating tools for MRA | Bio-statistical tools: sufficient similarity concept | EuroMix model toolbox: MCRA overarching regulatory sector possibilities Mixture prioritisation tools (MCR and SNMU) IPRA (probabilistic link between hazard and exposure) Link between dietary and non-dietary exposure models Generic and specific PBPK models Endpoint specific QSAR model |
Developing a test battery for whole mixture testing of water samples or extracts Developing an advanced tiered framework for the integrated assessment of mixture risks to aquatic organisms and human health from pollution of freshwaters |
In silico and in vitro new approach methodolgies | |
| Identification of priority mixtures | x | x | x | x | |
| Linking to health effects | x | x | x | AOP based | |
| Considering other than chemical stressors | Nutrition, stress, genetic background | – | Depending on study type, potential confounders and effect-modifiers may be used | – | |
| Relevant EU legislation | REACH regulation | Global food safety legislation, Pesticides, Contaminants, Additives, Water Framework Directive, REACH | Chemical regulations | Water Framework Directive; All other pieces of EU chemicals legislation with a relevance for water pollution |
Directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, REACH regulation, cosmetics regulation. |
| Relevant EU strategies or activities | Community Strategy for Endocrine Disruptors, Chemical Mixtures | Chemical Mixtures | Chemical Mixtures | Chemical Mixtures, Common Implementation Strategy for the WFD |
a
EUToxRisk is dealing with single chemical assessments rather than chemical mixtures. It is however developing many tools for hazard assessment that are of relevance in the future assessment of chemical mixtures and was therefore included in this review.