Project description
Tracking PFAS transformations to protect drinking water safety in Europe
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, complex group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products since about the 1950s. People are most likely exposed to these chemicals by consuming PFAS-contaminated water. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FluoroTrack project will investigate how PFAS transform during drinking water chlorination and the potential health risks posed. It will combine predictive modelling and advanced mass spectrometry to identify and quantify these substances, then apply these methods to real drinking water samples. By generating new scientific evidence and predictive tools, FluoroTrack will support improved water quality monitoring, inform regulatory action and contribute to safer drinking water policies in the EU.
Objective
Safe drinking water is essential for public health in Europe, yet its quality is increasingly challenged by emerging contaminants. Of greatest concern are persistent and bioaccumulative fluorinated compounds, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Despite widespread detection, these compounds form largely unknown transformation products (TPs) during chlorination, a common disinfection method in the UK and EU, through poorly understood processes with uncertain health impacts. This lack of knowledge hinders effective regulation and undermines public confidence in water safety. Project FluoroTrack will address these gaps by (1) determining drivers of chlorination-induced transformations, identifying and quantifying unknown TPs via predictive model-assisted non-target screening workflows and elucidating transformation mechanisms for high-risk fluorinated compounds; (2) applying these workflows to quantitatively evaluate unknown TPs in real drinking water samples collected by researchers and community volunteers; and (3) performing population-specific risk assessments to estimate exposures to parent compounds and TPs through daily water consumption. By combining predictive mass spectrometry analytics with real-world monitoring, this project will enable risk-based prioritisation of health-relevant fluorinated compounds. It will generate critical insights into chlorination-induced transformations and TP formation, and deliver predictive tools for risk management, regulatory monitoring and treatment optimisation. Outcomes will ultimately support updates to the EU Drinking Water Directive and the ambitions of the European Green Deal. The project will also provide advanced training for a talented postdoctoral researcher in analytical chemistry, exposure science, risk assessment, and professional development, building future leadership expertise to tackle emerging environmental challenges.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.