The mechanistic basis for providing a realistic cancer risk assesment for exposure to inorganic arsenic within the european comunity

Objective

Exposure to inorganic arsenis from different sources is a major public health concern in many regions. In accordance with existing EU Guildelines for cancer risk assessment, and that is based on mechanism of action, the general aim of this project is to define "virtually safe " levels for arsenic based on elucidation of the basic process underlying the induction of genotoxic effects and cancer, taking into consideration differences in ethnical and individual susceptibility. While considering other mechanisms, like inhibition of p53 tumour suppresor gene function and somatic recombination and synergistic effects, one major task of this project is to demonstrate if arsenic inhibits DNA-repair in humans, a type of mechanism that implies a dose threshold for carcinogenic action. The dose-response relationship for in vivo induction of chromosomal aberrations will also be defined. A second major task is to explore the relation between detoxification (methylation ) patterns, genetic polymorphism and susceptibility to the chronic toxic action of arsenic. .

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-4. - Key action Environment and Health

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

STOCKHOLM UNIVERSITET

Address

Universitetsvaegen 10
10691 Stockholm
Sweden

Participants (6)

AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA

Spain

Address

Campus De Bellaterra
08193 Bellaterra

GEORG-AUGUST-UNIVERSITY GOETTINGEN

Germany

Address

Wilhelmsplatz 1
37073 Goettingen

KAROLINSKA INSTITUTE

Sweden

Address

Haelsvaegen 7
141 57 Huddinge

LEIDEN UNIVERSITY

Netherlands

Address

Wassenaarseweg 72
2300 RA Leiden

THE NOFER INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE

Poland

Address

Teresy Street 8
90 950 Lodz

UNIVERSITAET KARLSRUHE (TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE)

Germany

Address

Kaiserstrasse 12
76128 Karlsruhe