EuroMix project will host a series of five webinars.

The aim of the webinars is to provide

• Understanding of the EuroMix approach for improving mixture risk assessment, in line with international guidance
• Demonstration of the EuroMix toolbox for mixture risk assessment, WebbApp

May 6, 2019 at 14-16
EuroMix handbook for mixture risk assessment
Johanna Zilliacus, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

May 7, 2019 at 14-16
Relative potency factors and dose-response modelling in EuroMix toolbox
Johanna Zilliacus, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

May 8, 2019 at 14-16
Using QSAR and TTC approaches in EuroMix toolbox
Emiel Rorije, RIVM, The Netherlands

May 10, 2019 at 10-12
Assessment of combined dietary exposure in EuroMix toolbox
Jacob van Klaveren, RIVM, The Netherlands

May 13, 2019 at 14-16
Assessment of aggregate exposure in EuroMix toolbox
Marc Kennedy, Fera Science Ltd., UK

All times are Stockholm, GMT+1

Register for the training here.

You can register for one or several of the webinars. 

Registration deadline is May 2, 2019.

After the deadline you will receive information on how to connect to the webinar.

For further information please contact: Johanna Zilliacus, Horizontal activity leader for training in EuroMix, Karolinska Institutet, E-mail: johanna.zilliacus@ki.se, tel: +46 8 52483544

The final EuroMix consortium meeting was held 9-11 April 2019 in Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands.

The aim of the meeting was to:

• Celebrate the EuroMix project
• Ensure the finalisation of the deliverables
• Present the results of the in vivo study and the IVIVE modelling results using the PBPK models
• Validate the EuroMix models and to compare human bio-monitoring study results with the prediction from monitoring data using the EuroMix data and models
• Present the different exposure scenarios using the EuroMix toolbox
• Finalise the test strategy using the EuroMix toolbox
• Update the consortium on the training and stakeholder conferences
• Present the final version of the practical guidance i.e. the EuroMix handbook

The meeting was very fruitful and the consortium partners are happy with the many useful and practical outcomes from EuroMix.

The EDC-MixRisk and EuroMix Joint Stakeholder Workshop, The Chemical Cocktail Challenget took place on March 26^th 2019 at the Thon Hotel EU in Brussels, Belgium.

The presentations from the workshop can be accessed here.

The EuroMix Stakeholder Workshop, Harmonisation and Usability of the EuroMix tools took place on March 27^th 2019 at the Thon Hotel EU in Brussels, Belgium.

The presentations from the workshop can be accessed here.

Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK

25 October 2018

The EuroMix consortium organised the third of a series of workshops to discuss international harmonisation of approaches to the risk assessment of combined exposure to chemicals on 25 October 2018.  The workshop was held at the Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.  The 15 participants at the workshop were drawn from a range of geographical and regulatory areas, with risk assessors from several regions (Europe, USA, Canada and Brazil) and authorities (EFSA, JRC, OECD, WHO, US EPA, RIVM, BfR) present.

The main aims of this workshop were to explore ways in which the EuroMix toolbox can contribute to harmonised scientific approaches to the risk assessment of combined exposures to chemicals in the diet, in relevant legislation. In support of this objective, illustrative case studies from the USA and from Europe were presented and discussed, and used to inform guidance for consideration at the final workshop.

The programme and presentations can be accessed here.

In general, there is appreciable alignment of the principles for assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals by OECD, EFSA, EPA and other organisations. These all emphasise the importance of problem formulation, including specification of the objectives and acceptable degree of uncertainty for assessment, the basis for grouping chemicals and the choice of assessment approach. There is also general agreement on the need for tiered approaches for both hazard and exposure assessment, to avoid being overly conservative. The use of mode of action information in refining assessment groups has also been broadly incorporated, as has been transparent delineation of uncertainties at each tier. In a number of chemical sectors, there is common application of these principles. However, in the area of pesticides, there are significant differences between the proposed approach in Europe and that which is in use in the USA.

The EuroMix toolbox has potential application, regardless of the approach used, in different sectors or geographical regions, for both data rich and data poor chemicals. Whilst harmonisation of the specific risk assessment methodology might not be possible, at least in the short term, the EuroMix toolbox can contribute to harmonisation of the principles used, in addressing the above issues, the standard of reporting and data templates. EuroMix is developing a Handbook to provide best practice for the range of problem formulations that might concern risk managers and will encourage further harmonisation, to the extent possible. The conclusions of the workshop have been written up in the report of the meeting and will be explored further at the 4th workshop in the series, to be held in Geneva, 15^th April 2019.

On 26 March 2019 two Horizon2020-funded projects, EDC-MixRisk and EuroMix, held a joint stakeholder workshop, entitled The Chemical Cocktail Challenge, at Thon Hotel EU, Brussels. This workshop was organised to gather key scientists, researchers, policy makers, and stakeholders from authorities, industry and civil society. The aim of the workshop was to highlight the main results and conclusions from the two projects, and their implications for future needs for chemical mixture risk assessment. Both projects presented key results and demonstrated new tools and approaches for risk assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals (mixtures) and how these could benefit future European food and chemical safety policy.

Abstracts from the joint morning session can be found here.

In total, 116 participants attended the joint stakeholder workshop with representation from the European Member States and the associated countries, as well as the USA, Canada and Japan.

Abstracts from the EuroMix afternoon session can be found here.

Human biomonitoring studies show that people have a considerable number of human-made chemicals in their bodies. European regulations stipulate the need to consider the potential mixture effect in the nearby future. EuroMix has delivered an open web-based data and model platform for exposure, hazard and risk assessment.

EuroMix aimed to establish novel testing and assessment strategies for chemical mixtures, to develop appropriate mixture risk assessment methodology and to implement this in a well-accessible inter-operational data and model platform.

Eleven European Member States tested the EuroMix data and model platform by performing dietary exposure assessments including a large number of chemicals. They also carried out case studies addressing multiple exposure routes of bisphenols and pesticides. These case studies should be seen as a try-out and not as a real risk assessment at this stage. Many different stakeholders were trained on the use of the EuroMix models.  

Risk assessment of chemical mixtures is often hampered by a lack of data. The EuroMix consortium developed a test strategy aiming to be cost-effective and to reduce animal testing. EuroMix tested a large number of chemicals affecting three adverse outcomes; liver steatosis, skeletal malformation and endocrine disruption. The test data will become available via the web-based EuroMix data and model platform and can be used in risk assessment of chemical mixtures.

The results will be presented and discussed as part of a workshop, The Chemical Cocktail Challenge, at Thon Hotel EU, Brussels, on 26 March 2019. This workshop is organised jointly with the EDC-MixRisk project, highlighting the main results and conclusions from the two Horizon2020-funded projects, EDC-MixRisk and EuroMix, and their implications for future needs for chemical mixture risk assessment.

A summary on the EuroMix project has been published on the CORDIS website in six languages.

To read the summary please click here.

EuroMix organised stakeholder training for European and national authorities, industry, NGOs and researchers in Amsterdam, Netherlands on March 11 and 12, 2019. Forty stakeholders participated in the training.

The aim of the training was to support understanding of the approach for improving risk assessment of chemical mixtures developed by EuroMix in line with international guidance and to give hands-on training in the use of the EuroMix toolbox for mixture risk assessment.

The participants performed exercises using the EuroMix toolbox on assessment of combined dietary exposure to a mixture. The possibilities in the toolbox to handle lack of toxicity data using TTC values and to use QSAR to identify substances to be included in the mixture assessment were tried out in practical exercises. The participants also calculated relative potency factors using benchmark dose modelling using the EuroMix toolbox.

The training was highly appreciated by the participants and they all reflected on how they can make use of the methodology and tools developed by EuroMix approach in the future.

Further training for stakeholders will also be given as webinars in April 2019.

For any questions on EuroMix training please contact:

Johanna Zilliacus, Horizontal activity leader for training in EuroMix, Karolinska Institutet. E-mail: johanna.zilliacus@ki.se

EuroMix researchers have reviewed the current legislative requirements for risk assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals via multiple exposure routes, with a focus on human health and particularly on food-related chemicals. The aim was to identify regulatory needs and current approaches for this type of risk assessment as well as challenges of the implementation of appropriate and harmonized guidance at international level. The resulting overview of the current legal requirements has just been published in Critical Reviews in Toxicology. For details, check this link.

WHO has recently published a call for experts on dietary risk assessment of chemical mixtures.

The objective of this call is to identify qualified scientists willing to serve as experts in the forthcoming expert consultations on risk assessment of mixtures that will take place in WHO HQ – Geneva on 16 to 19 April 2019. The aim of the consultation is to analyse case studies, to report on the results and to develop appropriate guidance for dietary risk assessment of chemical mixtures at international level and recommendations to WHO Member States to allow a practical implementation.

For more details please access the call here.