OPENTOX

Organic Pollutants in Environment - Markers and Biomarkers of Toxicity

Goals are:

 

  • to elucidate mechanisms of pesticides’ and their metabolites’ cyto/genotoxicity in vitro and in vivo by using multibiomarker approach, and considering transplacental effects of indirect exposure
  • evaluate possible sex endocrine disrupting effects in regards to the route of indirect exposure (transplacental, mother milk) and stage of development when the exposure occurs and impact is measured (pre/neo/postnatal, puberty)
  • to correlate oxidative stress biomarkers and other markers of biochemical toxicity with the results of cyto/genotoxicity evaluations
  • to correlate biochemical, cyto/genotoxicity biomarkers with subcellular effect of selected pesticides on disturbances in cytoskeleton structure and dynamics as significant early biomarkers in neurological and carcinogenesis risk assessment
  • to estimate the genotoxicity of persistent organic pollutants extracted from human biological specimens, in mass concentrations relevant for in situ exposures
  • to correlate the POP levels measured in biological samples with results of sex endocrine disruption testing to be used in relevant residential pesticide exposure risk assessment
  • to extend the knowledge on processes affecting distribution, transport, and transformation of selected pesticides in water and soil environment
  • to integrate obtained knowledge regarding organic pollutants toxicity to amend and adopt the Croatian national action plan for sustainable use of pesticides and emission of PCBs aimed to minimize risks for environment and human health