PARC

Thrilled to start an exciting journey with you! We are PARC “Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals”, which is the @HBM4EU follow-up #EUHorizon Europe funded program that will last for seven years. How dangerous are chemicals that we use and come into contact with every day? Follow us here and you will find out more! #Next_generation_risk_assessment #risk_assessment #chemicals #safety #exposure #hazard #biomonitoring #sustainability

🎙PARC researchers are ready for SETAC Europe in Maastricht! ⏰We have already prepared the SYNnet Booth to receive you. Our researchers will participate at the "Meet me @PARC " Iiniative at SYNnet Booth 63, to share insights into PARC’s work on connecting science, policy and environmental health, answer your questions, and exchange ideas. Come to meet Romana Hornek-Gausterer (Fh Technikum Wien, Austria) and Sónia Namorado (National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal). The SYNnet Booth will offer valuable opportunities to increase the visibility of PARC research, foster networking, and engage with the wider scientific community. Let us know in the comments if you are coming too! #PARC_EU #SETACEurope2026 #SETAC2026 #ChemicalSafety #RiskAssessment #EnvironmentalHealth #HealthAndEnvironment #SYNnet

🔎 Project – Enhancing transparency of AI and machine learning in chemical risk assessment How can we make AI and machine learning tools in chemical risk assessment more transparent, reliable and suitable for regulatory use? AI and machine learning are increasingly used to predict chemical behaviour and support risk assessment. However, limited transparency and unclear documentation make it difficult to understand models and their uncertainties. This project aims to improve the transparency, reproducibility and regulatory acceptance of AI and ML approaches in chemical risk assessment, while supporting a shift away from animal testing. 📌 What the project is doing: ✔ Reviewing AI, ML and QSAR models used in risk assessment ✔ Identifying best practices for transparency and regulatory use ✔ Assessing reproducibility and uncertainty handling ✔ Exploring key barriers such as applicability domains ✔ Making selected models available as FAIR data via QsarDB.org 💡 Key results: ➡️ Better understanding of AI/ML model transparency ➡️ Improved handling of uncertainty and reproducibility ➡️ FAIR access to selected models ➡️ Support for regulatory acceptance of AI-based methods 🔗 Learn more: https://www.eu-parc.eu/projects/computational-new-approach-methods-based-machine-learning-and-artificial-intelligence Project partners: INERIS (FR), IRFMN (IT), ISS (IT), KEMI (SE), NIPH (NO), NIVA (NO), UG-PL (PL), UKCEH (GB), EA (GB), UNIBAS (CH), UT (EE) #EU_PARC #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #ChemicalRiskAssessment #NAMs #NonAnimalTesting #HumanHealth #ScienceToPolicy

📢 PARC at SETAC Europe 2026 – Maastricht For the first time, PARC will have its own booth at SETAC Europe 2026. We are excited to join one of the key events in environmental toxicology and chemistry and to connect with researchers and stakeholders working on chemical safety, environmental health and risk assessment. PARC is a 7-year Horizon Europe partnership advancing next-generation chemical risk assessment through new data, methods and tools to better protect human health and the environment. 📍 Visit us at Booth 63 (PARC SYNnet Booth) Join our “Meet me @ PARC” initiative to connect, exchange ideas and share your work. We look forward to seeing you in Maastricht. 🔗 Learn more on the PARC website. #PARC_EU #SETACEurope2026 #SETAC2026 #ChemicalSafety #RiskAssessment #EnvironmentalHealth #EUResearch #ZeroPollution

🧪 Next-generation chemical risk assessment: the power of PBK models Physiologically-Based Kinetic (PBK) models simulate how chemicals are processed in the human body (ADME), enabling more human-relevant exposure and risk assessment. They support Quantitative In Vitro to In Vivo Extrapolation (QIVIVE), translating lab data into human exposure estimates for Next-Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA), especially when animal data is not available. 🔎 In PARC, PBK work includes: 🔹 Mapping models and identifying gaps (e.g. sensitive populations, dermal exposure); 🔹 Methodological advances (uncertainty, probabilistic and lifetime exposure modelling); 🔹 Application in hazard assessment through case studies (PFAS, metabolism, inhalation, brain exposure). 🌍 This strengthens NAM-based approaches and supports more predictive, human-relevant chemical safety assessment. 🔗 Read more on PARC website. #PARC_EU #PBKModels #ChemicalSafety #NGRA #NAMs #QIVIVE #EUResearch

📢 New Laboratory Network group launched on PARCopedia A new Laboratory Network group has been launched on PARCopedia, providing a dedicated space for laboratories across Europe to exchange expertise and strengthen collaboration in chemical risk assessment. Open to both PARC partners and the wider scientific community, the group supports knowledge sharing on analytical methods, sampling, instrumentation, QA/QC, and emerging technical challenges, while also providing access to training and funding opportunities. By connecting laboratories across Europe, it aims to reinforce collaboration and the exchange of good practices in chemical risk assessment. 🔗 Read more on PARC website. #PARC_EU #ChemicalSafety #LaboratoryNetwork #ChemicalRiskAssessment #EUResearch #Collaboration

🔎 Project – Monitoring chemical pollution in the natural environment How can we better identify which chemicals need monitoring to protect people and the environment? Monitoring chemicals helps us understand where they come from, how widespread they are, and whether action is needed to reduce pollution. But monitoring is complex and costly, so it must focus on the substances that matter most. PARC is developing a flexible, science-based system to prioritise which chemicals, environmental areas, and effects should be monitored to support better protection of human and environmental health. ✅ Challenges: Limited monitoring of some chemicals; difficulty addressing emerging substances and mixtures; need for harmonised approaches across regulations and environmental compartments. 📌 What PARC is doing: ✔ Developing a framework to prioritise chemicals for monitoring ✔ Integrating existing scientific prioritisation methods ✔ Identifying chemicals found across multiple compartments ✔ Creating a cross-regulation system supported by several evidence sources 💡 Key results: ➡️ Lists of priority substances for targeted monitoring ➡️ A transparent, science-based prioritisation framework ➡️ Better alignment of monitoring with regulatory needs ➡️ An early warning tool for emerging risks 💬 Why this matters: Effective monitoring supports cleaner environments and healthier communities. PARC’s work will make monitoring more focused, efficient, and responsive to new challenges, helping Europe reduce pollution and protect health. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.eu-parc.eu/projects/developing-system-monitor-chemicals-environment Project partners: AU (DK), INERIS (FR), ANSES (FR), ARSO (SI), BPI (GR), UKCEH (GB), CNR-IRSA (IT), CNRS (FR), CSTB (FR), EAWAG (CH), Fraunhofer (DE), CSIC (ES), INRAE (FR), ISS (IT), ISSeP (BE), IVL (SE), JSI (SI), LNS (LU), MU (CZ), NILU (NO), NKUA (GR), ONIRIS (FR), OVAM (BE), Sciensano (BE), SLU (SE), SpFrance (FR), SYKE (FI), UAntwerpen (BE), UBA (DE), UFZ (DE), ULFFA (SI), VUA (NL) #EU_PARC #ChemicalMonitoring #EnvironmentalHealth #ChemicalRiskAssessment #ZeroPollution #ScienceToPolicy

📢 PARC-affiliated early-career researchers honoured with major toxicology awards Three early-career researchers collaborating with PARC have recently been recognised at key toxicology meetings: 🏅 Sebastian Gutsfeld (UFZ) received the Pfizer Graduate Fellowship Award at the 2026 SOT Annual Meeting – following his Carl C. Smith Graduate Student Award in 2023. 🏅 David Leuthold (UFZ) earned SOT’s Best Postdoctoral Publication Award for PARC-related work on a new developmental neurotoxicity test method. 🏅 Marla Dubau was recognised by the Gesellschaft für Toxikologie und Pharmakologie (GPTS). These distinctions highlight the impact of young scientists contributing to PARC’s research. 🔗 Read more: eu-parc.eu. #PARC_EU #Toxicology #EarlyCareerResearchers #ChemicalSafety #EUResearch #ScienceToPolicy

📢 PARC opens applications for its 2nd remote training on in silico models using VEGAHUB PARC will host the second edition of its online, hands-on training on 18–19 May 2026, coordinated by Istituto Mario Negri (IRFMN), Italy. The course focuses on practical use of VEGAHUB tools (including VEGA, ToxRead, VERA, CosmoLIFE and ToxEraser) through case studies on cosmetics and ecotoxicological properties. Open to intermediate-level researchers and risk assessors with prior experience in in silico modelling. Participants from the October 2025 intermediate course are not eligible. 🗓️ Deadline for applications: 5 May 2026 🔗 Learn more: eu-parc.eu. #PARC_EU #InSilico #ReadAcross #VEGAHUB #Training #ChemicalSafety #RiskAssessment

🔎 Project – Sex-based differences in susceptibility to liver toxicants How do sex-based differences influence susceptibility to liver toxicants? Biological differences between males and females can affect responses to chemical exposures, including substances impacting liver function. Understanding these differences is essential to improve the accuracy and relevance of risk assessment. PARC is investigating sex-based differences in susceptibility to liver toxicants, generating knowledge on how biological variability influences toxicological responses. ✅ Challenges: Limited data on sex-specific responses; gaps in risk assessment approaches; need to better account for biological variability; improving relevance of toxicity data. 📌 What PARC is doing: ✔ Investigating sex-based differences in liver toxicity ✔ Studying mechanisms of differential susceptibility ✔ Generating data for more refined risk assessment ✔ Integrating biological variability into assessment approaches 💡 Key results: ➡️ Improved understanding of sex-related differences in toxicity ➡️ New data on liver toxicants and susceptibility ➡️ Support for more accurate and inclusive risk assessment ➡️ Contribution to better protection of human health 💬 Why this matters: Accounting for sex-based differences is key to more precise and protective risk assessment. PARC advances science that reflects biological variability and supports better health outcomes. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.eu-parc.eu/projects/sex-based-differences-susceptibility-liver-toxicants Project partners: ANSES (FR), BfR (DE), VUB (BE), UL-LACDR (NL) #EU_PARC #Toxicology #LiverHealth #SexDifferences #ChemicalRiskAssessment #HumanHealth #ScienceToPolic

📣 The April 2026 edition of Science Digest is out! Explore the latest research from the PARC community, advancing innovation in chemical safety, environmental health, and next-generation risk assessment. 🔬 This month’s highlights include: ✅ From prioritization to implementation: updating the PARC WP5 project portfolio through the second prioritization round, by Celia Garcia Arenas, Kiara Aiello Holden, and others ✅ A review on aquatic toxins – Do we really know it all regarding the environmental risk posed by phytoplankton neurotoxins?, by Albano Pinto, Maria Joao Botelho, and others ✅ FAIR environmental and health registry (FAIREHR) – supporting the science-to-policy interface and life science research, development and innovation, by Maryam Zare Jeddi, Karen S. Galea, and others ✅ Molecular and functional characterization of different brain sphere models for use in neurotoxicity testing on microelectrode arrays, by Ellen Fritsche, Julia Hartmann, and others ✅ Carnosic acid ameliorates indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in rats by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation, by Dragana Nikitovic, Betul Danisman, and others 📖 Read the Science Digest at our website at www.eu-parc.eu. 💬 Join the conversation: Share your thoughts on these studies and how they may shape the future of regulatory science, human health protection, and safer chemicals! #EU_PARC #Science_Digest #Chemicals #RiskAssessment #Innovation #Newsletter

🧪 PARC launches 2026 webinar series on QA/QC in chemical analysis and in vitro toxicity testing PARC is launching a webinar series on Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) to improve the quality and consistency of data from environmental, food and human health monitoring, as well as in vitro toxicity testing. The series presents two guidance documents on: 🔹 QA/QC in chemical analysis of environmental, food and human samples; 🔹 Quality criteria for in vitro toxicity and toxicokinetic studies. 🔗 Read more: eu-parc.eu. #PARC_EU #QualityAssurance #QualityControl #ChemicalAnalysis #InVitroTesting #EUResearch