Objective 1. Chemical database. Management, maintenance, updating and extension of the Environmental Chemicals data and Information Network (ECDIN), including data collection, validation, registration and distribution. Assistance in the preparation of data profiles for Commission Services. 2. Trace metal (TM) levels in human tissues and toxicological significance. Establishment and comparison of TM concentrations in tissues of EC general population (reference values) and their toxicological significance. The data content of the ECDIN chemical databank was extended substantially but the addition of an existing database on water solubility (more than 10 000 records for about 4000 organic compounds). In addition, updating and significant improvements were made in the toxicological, waste legislation files and chemical economic sector. A new file on abiotic degradation of chemicals has been introduced. A first compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) version of ECDIN data for use with personal computers has come on the market in Europe, focusing on 1700 compounds of primary commercial, environmental and occupational importance.Trace metal levels in tissues from subjects living in European community countries have been tested, to find: reference values; relationship with metal related diseases; multielement analysis of brain autopsy tissues in relation to Alzheimer and Parkinson disease; trace element analysis in tissues and body fluids of uremic patients under regular dialytic treatment; in vitro toxicity testing for general or specific toxicity and biotransformation of arsenic, vanadium and manganese.Research has been carried out in the following areas:evaluation of chemicals, comprising the ECDIN databank and the trace metals exposure and health effects;indoor air pollution;soil water waste.A new version of the environmental chemicals database (ECDIN CD-ROM) has been made available, the number of chemical compounds included in it having been raised to about 7500.With respect to trace metals exposure and health effects dose effect relationship are being established to prevent health hazard from exposure to trace metals.Reference values for trace elements in tissue were used as the baseline values for clinical and toxicological assessment studies.The biological monitoring of 252 hard metal workers was also performed by determining cobalt levels in air and in different human body compartments. The study has shown that the disease related to individual factor rather than to environmental conditions.Trace metals metabolism and biochemical effects studies have focused on risk to cobalt exposure. Experiments of exposure to cobalt performed on rats have been utilized to elucidate the mechanisms of cobalt transfer in specific body tissues.Techniques allowing the selective inactivation of any gene in the mouse genome have been set up making feasible animal models in which human hereditary pathologies orginated by mutations in well known genes are reproduced.Within the framework of the indoor pollution activity, research focused on the development and validation of methods for the characterization of organic indoor pollution, its sources and sinks.In the field of chemical waste, soil pollutant interaction studies evaluated the mobility in different soils of organic pollutants having wide ranging water solubility.With respect to analytical development, systematic studies have been carried out on the application of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) in trace organic analysis and on novel extraction techniques for determining semivolatile comp ounds in drinking water.Water quality research has shown that flow cytometry (FCM) can be used for fast and accurate measurement of total living cells and for evaluation of the phytoplankton biomass.Progress to end 1991 1. Chemical database Data content of the ECDIN databank was extended substantially by the addition of an existing database on water solubility (more than 10.000 records for about 4000 organic compounds). In addition, updating and significant improvements were made in the toxicological, waste legislation files and chemical economic sector. A new file on abiotic degradation of chemicals has been introduced,too. On-line data are distributed by DIMDI (Cologne/D) who since 1st july 1991 have made royalty payments to the Commission. A first CD-ROM version of ECDIN data for use with personal computers has come on the market in Europe, focusing on 1700 compounds of primary commercial, environmental and occupational importance. Agreements for distributing CD-ROM versions abroad (USA, Japan) are under negotiation. Work on the application and validation of structure-activity Relationships (SAR) for the estimation of physicochemical properties was concluded and part of the results published (Chemosphere 22, 953-957; 1991). 2. TM levels in tissues from subjects living in EC countries - Reference Values: _ development of the joint European EURO TERVIHT project (Trace Element Reference Values in human Tissues) in agreement with Belgian, Italian, Danish, Portuguese, Spanish organizations (by JRC/DG V, Health and Safety Directorate) - development of the TRACY project (Database of toxic metals in human tissues and fluids, EUREKA EU 618 EUROENVI). - Relationship with metal related diseases: multielement analysis of brain autopsy tissues in relation to Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases; trace element analysis in tissues/body fluids of uremic patients under regular dialytic treatment. - In vitro toxicity testing for general/specific toxicity and biotransformation of As, V, Mn. Detailed description of work foreseen in 1992 1. Chemical database Updating of data files with special emphasis on the classification, labelling and packaging requirements of the Dangerous Substances Directive. Substantial extensions are foreseen for the physicochemical, biodegradation and toxicological data files. Institution of a ECDIN users group is envisaged, too. A 2nd updated version of ECDIN data on CD-ROM is to be marketed in the second half of 1992. Collaboration with corresponding national/international institutions for the development of joint chemical or toxicological data files (IRPTC/OECD) is planned. 2. TM levels in tissues of EC population - EURO TERVIHT project: consensus on reference population groups, specimen collection and control of preanalytical factors protocols; critical review reports (state of the art) on TM reference values in body fluids in different EC countries; campaigns for sample collection and analysis. - TRACY project (EUREKA EU 618): work planning in agreement with Swedish and Norwegian partners; development of database system on TM reference values (Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd...) in body fluids by evaluation of published information. - Relationship with metal related diseases: multielement analysis of different lung and brain regions (Alzheimer, Parkinsons diseases), tissues of uremic patients as well as cardiovascular apparatus. - In vitro cytotoxicity and carcinogenic potential of TM according to the indications of EURO TERVIHT project. Short description of evolution of work in 1993 The work will be continued and further developed along the 1992 lines. Programme(s) JRC-ENVPROT 6C - Specific research programmes (EEC) to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre - Environmental protection -, 1992-1994 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Joint Research Centre (JRC) EU contribution No data Address Edificio 29 21020 Ispra Italy See on map Total cost No data
