EuroMix (European Test and Risk Assessment Strategies for Mixtures) is a new project funded by the European Research Program (H2020). EuroMix will present an experimental program to study the common effects of compounds (preparations) that we come into contact with in our daily lives, using both new and previously known toxicological tests.
The project is extremely important for modern society, as the interaction of different compounds has so far not been sufficiently studied and the EU has emphasized the need for risk assessment of preparations is necessary in the future.
Initial meeting (May 20-21 at RIVM, Bilthoven)
Experts from international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Food Safety Authority (ESFA), the European Joint Research Center (ECO) and experts who have participated in international discussions such as RISK 21 at the inaugural meeting of the project, where an overview of research carried out in Europe and from other countries was presented. The main areas of toxicology, new and advanced research methods and risk assessment of compound preparations were reviewed. The main points of the EuroMix project were presented at the inaugural meeting and placed in the context of international development and research.
Goals and steps
EuroMix aims to develop and verify an experimental program for mixtures of different substances with different sources and effects on different human life stages. Experiments will be carried out where results and experience will be presented in practical guidelines for future research plans. Since the number of preparations we come in contact with in daily life is infinite, certain key mixtures will be defined.
These key preparations will be tested and the results of the research will be used in the future for databases to assess our exposure to preparations. The usefulness of bioassays will be evaluated for preparations and the most suitable methods found will be verified and validated in comparison with animal experiments. New models for performing risk assessments for preparations will be developed and exposure assessments will be carried out. A new EuroMix model will be made available to stakeholders through a public website. The EuroMix project will provide advice to international organizations on how to use bioactivity tests as well as the use of the model for future research and risk assessment of preparations.
results
The project is expected to increase innovation in both the public and private sectors. The project will provide a solid scientific basis for evaluating the effects of preparations as well as reducing the use of experimental animals in the future. The project will also support a discussion of a co-ordinated policy on risk assessment within the EU, the Codex Alimentarius and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
International cooperation
There are 22 partners in the EuroMix project and four international parties are involved in the project. The project is part of the EU's research and innovation program, Horizon 2020, which is based on previous European research projects. EuroMix partners and the European Commission have agreed to co-finance € 8 million.
The Dutch Public Health and Environment Agency RIVM is leading the EuroMix project. Other institutions are listed in Annex 1.
For further information dr. Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir at Matís.
Links and additional material
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/193181_en.html link to EU page