NOMIRACLE Novel Methods for Integrated Risk Assessment of Cumulative Stressors in Europe Integrated Project to Call FP6-2003-Global-2 Priority 1.1.6.3 of the Sixth Framework Programme: ‘Global Change and Ecosystems’ Topic VII.1.1.a (‘Development of risk assessment methodologies’) Co-ordinator: Dr. Hans Løkke National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark

The European Environment & Health Action Plan 2004-2010 NOMIRACLE will develop methodological systems to analyse interactions between environment and health (Action No 7) NOMIRACLE will develop Integrated Risk Assessment methodologies and models for evaluating cumulative effects, interaction between stressors and their influence on human health

ITM SYKE NERI UWC UFZ LMC LHASA Ltd USOUTH ITM SYKE ULANC WRcNSF UCAM WU NERI APINI DESUN UWC VU EKUT NERC Alterra LIMCO UJAG UFZ UA RWTHA RIVM ETC LEMTEC NIHP DIA SYMLOG EWAG USALZ EPFL FAL JRC-IES UNIMIB LMC DBUA DSTA URV ENVI SICC

Science & technology objectives 1. To develop new methods for assessing the cumulative risks from combined exposures to several stressors including mixtures of chemical and physical/biological agents 2. To achieve more effective integration of the risk analysis of environmental and human health effects 3. To improve our understanding of complex exposure situations and develop adequate tools for sound exposure assessment 4. To develop a research framework for the description and interpretation of cumulative exposure and effect

Science & technology objectives 5. To quantify, characterise and reduce uncertainty in current risk assessment methodologies, e.g. by improvement of the scientific basis for setting safety factors 6. To develop assessment methods which take into account geographical, ecological, social and cultural differences in risk concepts and risk perceptions across Europe 7. To improve the provisions for the application of the precautionary principle and to promote its operational integration with evidence-based assessment methodologies

Exposure scenarios Aquatic species Terrestrial species Mammalian model and humans Integrated understanding of effect mechanisms for single and cumulative exposures

Stressors involved Chemicals (mixtures) Patogenes Climate Particles Acidification Eutrophication Anoxia Other

Selection of VOC and semi-VOC Molecules designed for provoking significant interactions with biological structures Pesticides Biocides Pharmaceuticals Selection of VOC and semi-VOC Selected industrial chemicals Trace metals

Media and exposure Human and environment aquatic environment terrestrial environment Exposure through water and air including indoor exposure for humans and the risk of exposure to chemicals in products

Examples on topics: Default assumptions Deterministic assessment factors Mixture toxicity Multiple stressors Spatial differentiation Temporal variation Inter-individual variation Uncertainty Critical stress levels