500 000 SEK in grant to fund PFAS research
Eurofins Environment Testing Sweden AB (called Eurofins below) has a long and continuous collaboration with MTM research centre at Örebro University (OrU). Eurofins is currently taking part in three research projects performed at MTM and one employee has a part-time position as senior adjunct lecturer. To strengthen the collaboration and Eurofins research involvement, the company has decided to set aside 500 000 SEK as a research grant to fund further work together.
Environmental and health effects
Per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS), are a large class that may include 4000 or more compounds. Over the last 20 years environmental and health effects caused by exposure of PFAS have become of great concern. PFAS have many uses including firefighting foam (AFFF = Aqueous Film Forming Foam), waterproofing of paper and textile, polish products, in the engineering, photographic and electronic industry (eg metal plating, hydraulic fluids), and as raw substance/ processing aid for non-stick material (plastics etc.). PFAS have been associated with several health problems for example effects on the liver as well as the endocrine and immune systems. This also includes vaccination responses (antibody and T-cell) in children. The new significantly lowered TWI (tolerable weekly intake) values from EFSA and the inclusion of PFAS in the revised EU drinking water directive imply further focus on the group of substances.
Large research needs
Eurofins and MTM together with other partners have over the last few years jointly been involved in PFAS research that has shed new light especially on occurrence in and leaching from soil. There are still large research needs and the grant will be used to further develop new analytical techniques that can be used in environmental risk assessment. The funding follows an earlier grant from Eurofins Foundation in 2020.
Research management
At Örebro University the research will be led by Assoc Prof Leo Yeung and at Eurofins Assoc Prof Patrick van Hees and MSc Patrik Karlsson will be project leaders. Research activities will take place at both OrU and Eurofins and the project will be conducted during 2021-22
Contact
For further information please contact Paula Friman, MD Eurofins Environment, tel 0721-51 03 40, paulafriman@eurofins.se