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The european consensus platform for 3R alternatives to animal experimentation (ECOPA)
No full textInternational audienceThe ecopa is a non-profit organization which explores all possible means to improve the exchange of information in the area of alternative methods. The primary mission of ecopa is to raise public, governmental and scientific awareness for a better use of alternative methods for scientific purposes with the final goal of fully replacing all in vivo tests while improving the quality of risk assessment in humans. Presently, ecopa is composed by 7 National Consensus Platforms (French, Finland, Norway, Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland) and has other members as individuals to include academic institutions, professional associations, companies, and any other organisation (or one of its divisions) which support ecopa's aims. National Consensus Platforms are usually structured with representatives from ecopa’s four stakeholders: Government and regulatory authorities, academia, industry, and animal protection and welfare organisations. The aims of ecopa are to facilitate the exchange of scientific information, expertise and experience between national consensus platforms to enhance implementation of refinement, reduction and replacement in the EU and worldwide. ecopa recommends the use of alternative strategies that may elucidate the real mechanism of actions of the different substances in humans, in particular when the animal models fail in predicting an effect. This is particularly true in the area of drug development where so many differences exist between humans and animals. Adhering to the 3Rs, ecopa strives to raise public, governmental and scientific awareness for a better acceptance of alternatives both at member state and European levels. Members of ecopa are part of ESAC at EURL-ECVAM and it is constantly in contact with DG Environment and DG Health & Consumers. Additionally, many members are participating in European Integrated Projects. The ecopa is also an accredited stakeholder at ECHA. Some national consensus platforms also have strong interest in the food and feed sectors even though the main focus remains in the methodology for risk assessment. New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) integrating advanced in vitro, in silico and in chemico tools should be developed and included in testing strategies to increase our understanding of toxicity mechanisms in humans and the risks to the environment. The same goal applies to biomedical research. ecopa’s strategic goals apply to all areas where animals are used for scientific or regulatory purposes
Les outils méthodologiques en France : guides de gestion et des aléas
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Pollution d’un aquifère : quel dispositif pour déterminer la qualité de la nappe
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Risk assessment during explosion severity tests of carbon black and MWCNT in a laboratory
No full textInternational audienceRisk assessment has been conducted by quantitative and qualitative methods during explosion severity tests for two nanomaterials (NMs) in a laboratory. First a quantitative assessment was performed in order to assess the exposure of the operator during explosiveness testing in the 20 L sphere for carbon black (N990) and MWCNT (NC7000TM). The methodology was based on general recommendations for exposure measurement assessment (e.g. [1]), and an easy-to-use operational sampling approach [2]. Exposure was measured with a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) in background field as well as in the immediate vicinity of the operator. The operator was also equipped with a portative particle counter DiscMini. Samples for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis were collected with a Mini Particle Sampler (MPS) system. The testing procedure was clearly split into different steps to allow identifying the emitting activities. Background concentrations were monitored using a scanning mobility nanoparticle sizer (SMPS). The measurements campaign enabled to assess the air flow in the laboratory, the performance of the local exhaust ventilation and to monitor the particle number concentration, nature and morphology both in the immediate vicinity of the operator and in the background. The measurements allowed to identify a few sources of NMs emission during the tests and to come up with recommendations to reduce the operator exposure. It led also to the finding that the dynamic barrier provided by the local exhaust ventilation system can be temporarily weakened during overpressure events. Second, a qualitative assessment was performed using two control banding tools, i.e. CB Nanotool 2.0 and the StoffenManager Nano 1.0. The risk levels assessed by the control banding tools are not in full agreement. The subjectivity associated with some input parameters for the risk assessment and the lack of information in the safety data sheets (SDS) and literature are discussed for several parameters. Third, the results from measured versus estimated exposure to NMs were compared. The results from comparing airborne nanoparticles concentrations are in line with estimated exposure. However risk assessment with control banding tools remains questionable in some cases. Causes and consequences are investigated
Descriptive self-reporting survey of people with idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) : similarities and comparisons with previous studies
No full textInternational audienceContext : In France, cases of people self-reporting symptoms due to electromagnetic fields (EMF) or idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) have emerged over the past 10 years. Several self-help and action groups have claimed an increasing number of members. However, little is known about this population in France. Aim : Our primary objective was to describe the reported symptoms and the sources that may induce these symptoms through a questionnaire-based study. Secondly, we discussed our results alongside those obtained from the existing literature and provide an overview of this physical condition. Subjects and methods : From April to November 2014, a self-questionnaire survey was conducted in France. With 52 participants, the average age of respondents was 50 ± 11 years and the majority of participants at 79% were women. Results : Our study results in the French population were consistent with findings in the literature conducted in other countries and also highlighted a number of emerging EMF sources such as wireless area networks, to be perceived as possible causes of symptoms. Conclusions : Despite methodological differences, we summarized facts from previous comparable investigations. We also provided an overview of people claiming EMF effects and briefly discussed possible avenues of research
Développement d'un modèle toxicocinetique à base physiologique décrivant la bioaccumulation par voie alimentaire d'un acide perfluoroalkyl sulfonique chez la truite arc-en-ciel (oncorhynchus mykiss)
No full text[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]BELCA [ADD1_IRSTEA]Systèmes aquatiques soumis à des pressions multiplesNational audienceLes composés perfluorés (PFAS) possèdent des propriétés physico-chimiques uniques, telles qu'une excellente stabilité thermique et chimique et une bonne résistance à la dégradation biologique, expliquant leur ubiquité dans l'environnement. Les milieux aquatiques sont particulièrement exposés et de nombreuses études ont démontré la bioaccumulation de certains de ces composés par les vertébrés aquatiques. Pourtant, les données liées aux mécanismes d'absorption, de distribution, de métabolisation et d'élimination des PFAS demeurent limitées. Il est donc primordial de mieux comprendre ces processus ainsi que leurs déterminants, d'autant plus que la production et l'utilisation industrielles des PFAS évoluent rapidement. Dans ce contexte, une approche par la modélisation parait pertinente puisqu'elle permet d'intégrer l'ensemble des processus dynamiques influençant la toxicocinétique des composés d'intérêt. Les modèles toxicocinétiques à base physiologique (PBTK) se révèlent être des outils puissants pour comprendre et expliquer le comportement d'une substance et prédire leur devenir au sein d'un organisme. Cependant, les applications des modèles PBTK aux PFAS sont encore inexistantes pour les vertébrés aquatiques. Nous avons donc développé un premier modèle PBTK, basé sur la physiologie de la truite arc-en-ciel (Oncorhynchus mykiss), décrivant le comportement du perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), composé de référence, majoritaire dans les matrices environnementales malgré l'arrêt de sa production depuis quelques années. Celui-ci, inspiré principalement de deux modèles mécanistiques (Ng et Hungerbühler 2013 ; Nichols et al., 2004), a été calibré à partir d'un jeu de données obtenu grâce à une exposition par voie alimentaire chez la truite arc-en-ciel adulte. Des simulations de la cinétique du PFOS ont été réalisées pour les phases d'absorption et de dépuration, tout en prenant en compte la croissance des organismes. Ainsi, nous avons pu étudier la contribution de chaque organe concernant la distribution du PFOS et celle des différentes voies d'élimination (urine, bile, fèces, branchies), encore controversées dans la littérature. Par ailleurs, plusieurs perspectives d'extension du modèle sont envisagées : effets de la température de l'eau sur les processus d'absorption et d'élimination et application à d'autres PFAS, tels que le perfluorohexane sulfonate, alternative industrielle au PFOS
Polar PAC (Polycyclic Aromatic Compound) Mobilization And Transfer In Water From Coal Tar Contaminated Soils: From Batch To Lysimeter Column Expériments
No full textInternational audienceDue to past coal transformation activities, about 200 000 sites have been diagnosed as polluted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Europe. Because of their toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties, 16 PAHs are regulated and measured for site diagnosis and monitoring during remediation treatment. Associated to PAHs, polar PACs (O-PACs and N-PACs) occur and could induce a risk for water resources. Polar PACs are present in the initial pollution (coal-tars) and can be produced during remediation treatments or natural attenuation. Moreover, recent studies revealed that polar PACs (i) are leached in higher proportions than PAHs and (ii) can be as toxic as corresponding PAHs. Consequently, the mechanisms involved in polar PAC mobilization and transfer to water, especially compared with PAHs, need to be elucidated. In fine, should polar PACs be included in coal-tar contaminated site diagnosis in order to improve risk evaluation?In this project, the mobilization and transfer of polar PACs and PAHs were assessed via leaching experiments of aged contaminated soils from two former coking plants. A multi-scale approach was used: batch (50 g), laboratory column (2 kg) and pilot scale column (2 m3 lysimeter). In a first step, PAC mobilization was investigated in laboratory batch experiments under various conditions of temperature, ionic strength, PAC availability. For laboratory column, different conditions were applied on a column with raw coking plant soil and a column with the same soil with its contaminant availability increased. Different nature (ionic strength, organic matter concentration) and flow of the percolating solutions were tested to evaluate their impact on PAC mobilization. On the field scale, leaching tests were performed with artificial rain applied on a lysimeter column (2 m3) filled with a contaminated soil sampled on a former coking plant site. Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) and dissolved PAC concentrations were measured. The results from batch experiments show a release of low molecular weight PAHs and polar PACs mainly by dissolution (Raoult’s law), while higher molecular weight PAHs were mainly released in association with colloids. Aging mainly controls the former mechanism and ionic strength mainly controls the latter one. The Raoult’s law predicts the PAC equilibrium concentration at high level of pollution availability but it overestimates PAC concentration at low availability. This is mainly due to limitation of PAC diffusion within coal-tar particles with aging. The most soluble PACs (especially polar PACs) were the most sensitive to aging.Column experiments confirm a preferential release of polar PACs compared with PAHs. For laboratory column tests, satisfactory predictions are obtained for polar PAC release when the pollution is available, it is not the case for the raw soil, suggesting that availability is a major parameter that needs to be taken into account for historical contamination impacted by aging. Leaching tests performed on the lysimeter column confirm a release of PACs according to a coal-tar dissolution mechanism, although PAC concentrations are much lower compared to those predicted by the Raoult’s law. These findings underline the need to include polar PACs in diagnosis and monitoring of potentially contaminated sites
Mobilization and transfer of PAC (Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds): laboratory and lysimeter column experiments
No full textInternational audienceIn industrial sites historically contaminated by coal-tar (abandoned coking and manufactured-gas plants), other families of organic pollutants than the 16 PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) classified by the US-EPA can occur and induce potential risk for groundwater resources. Polar PACs (polycyclic aromatic compounds), especially oxygenated PACs (O-PACs), are present in the initial pollution and can also be generated over time. Their aqueous solubility is much greater than those of the PAHs. For these reasons, we need to increase our knowledge on polar PACs in order to better predict their behavior and the potential on-site risk.Two different column experiments were carried out on coking plant soils under saturated (laboratory scale) and unsaturated (lysimeter column on the GISFI experimental station) conditions.On the laboratory scale, different conditions were applied on two different columns: a column with raw coking plant soil and a column with the same soil previously preheated (100°C) under inert atmosphere in order to increase the availability of the contaminants. Different nature (ionic strength, organic matter concentration) of the percolating solutions as well as the flow of the solution were tested in order to evaluate consequences on PAC mobilization.On the field scale (lysimetric column), leaching tests were performed on a lysimeter column (2 m3) filled with a contaminated soil sampled on a former coking plant site. An artificial rain was applied during 4 consecutive days (6 hours per day at 10L/h) twice. The solutions were collected at the bottom of the lysimeter (percolate) as well as at several depths of the column (porous candles).Our works confirm a preferential release of polar PACs compared with PAHs. Polar PACs and low molecular weight PAHs (LMW-PAHs) are mainly released according to a coal-tar dissolution mechanism (Raoult’s law). In the case of laboratory column tests, satisfactory predictions are obtained for polar PAC release when the pollution is “fresh” (available), it is not the case for the raw soil, suggesting that availability is a major parameter that needs to be taken into account for historical contamination impacted by aging. Leaching tests performed on the lysimeter column confirm a release of PACs according to a coal-tar dissolution mechanism, although PAC concentrations are much lower compared to those predicted by the Raoult’s law. Whatever the experimental scale (laboratory or lysimeter columns), a clear influence of the biological compartment has been evidenced. Once the PAHs and polar PACs are dissolved into water, they are highly biodegraded
The Application of Ecotoxicological Tools to Safer-by-Design Strategies for Engineered Nanomaterials
No full textInternational audienceOECD test guidelines using aquatic organisms have been identified as suitable starting points for identifying risk that engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) risk represent for the environment. However, standardized testing (mainly relevant for freshwater species) may not be able to adequately characterize the risk and dynamic behavior of ENMs in the environment, in particular for aquatic regions like coastal areas which are the ultimate sink for all land based contaminants. As a result, the addition of less conventional organisms to regulatory projects can promote the characterization of environmental risk nanomaterials pose. Mytilus species have a long history of being used as sentinel organisms to characterize ecosystem health and can be used to promote the understanding of environmental risk that emerging contaminants like ENMs pose. This information can be particularly useful for the development of safer-by-design strategies as implementation in risk characterization can promote the identification of which products an industry creates pose the lowest environmental risk. In this context, under project the Horizon 2020 project NanoReg2, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the implementation of a safer-by-design strategy for ENM development. Three carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were provided by an industrial partner in order to characterize the potential environmental risk their products posed. The aim of the study was to compare the original product (GANF) to a new scaled up production process for the CNF (GATam) as well a graphitized verison of the product (GANFg). The study implemented regulatory testing using Daphnia magna and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata as well as hemocytes from the marine mussel Mytilus edulis (M. edulis) following in vitro and in vivo testing on subcellular endpoints. The testing strategy was conducted in order to demonstrate the suitability of both regulatory testing (OECD tests) as well an in vitro screening strategy on M. eduilis hemocytes to characterize the environmental risk posed by ENMs in the context of safer-by-design and its application to industry. In addition, recommendation and discussion on protocols used to test this CNF are provided