Project description
Training researchers to understand PFAS exposure
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are toxic. These anthropogenic chemicals can be found all around us – in food, pizza boxes, junk food wrappers, as well as household products and drinking products. There is also evidence that PFAS can lead to adverse health effects in humans. The EU-funded PERFORCE3 project will train 15 early stage researchers to better understand the exposure pathways of PFAS. The researchers will undertake individual, personalised, yet interlinked research projects, which combine training in both academic and non-academic sectors to provide them with a comprehensive set of transferable skills. The project’s results will build on the current understanding of PFAS to improve environmental and human risk assessments.
Objective
The PERFORCE3 European Training Network (ETN) is a multi-partner joint doctoral student research training network with the overall aims of educating 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) and improving the understanding of, and eliminating the risks associated with, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). PFASs comprise more than 4700 substances and are of high global concern due to poorly defined risks to the environment and human health. PERFORCE3 brings together world leaders in a range of disciplines (physical, synthetic, environmental and analytical chemistry, pharmacokinetics, epidemiology, toxicology, remediation science and chemical policy) with state-of-the-art technologies, to provide high quality training and research environments. ESRs will undertake individual, personalized, yet interlinked research projects, which combine training in both academic and nonacademic sectors in order to provide them with a comprehensive set of transferable skills. To meet the aims of the network, PERFORCE3 uses a supra-disciplinary approach outlined in seven work packages (WPs). Each ESR will gain deep-learning through their individual research projects within the areas of analytical tools and exposure science (WP1), toxicology and epidemiology (WP2), as well as green chemistry, remediation and policy in a WP focusing on solutions to PFAS contamination problems (WP3). As well as the in-depth knowledge gained in their own research areas, ESRs will benefit greatly from the orthogonal and complementary training opportunities within the ETN. All ESRs will gain training in translation of research results for regulatory and/or stakeholder uses (WP4) and theoretical training in their respective disciplines (WP5). Management and communication for the network will be facilitated through WPs 6 and 7. The results of PERFORCE3 will greatly improve the understanding of a globally ubiquitous contaminant class, leading to improved environmental and human health risk assessments.
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Coordinator
10691 Stockholm
Sweden