Drinking Water Contaminants / Pharmacokinetic Modelisation

Introduction   |   Current Reseach   |   Realisations

Measurement of contaminant exposure is essential in evaluating the health risk associated with exposure to environmental contaminants. For this, toxicokinetic modeling represents an interesting tool whose usefulness is recognized internationally by environmental health researchers and managers. Among other things, toxicokinetic models can be used to evaluate and predict the exposure of individuals, particularly internal exposure (internal dose), which is better related to the contaminants’ deleterious effects, and to study the impact of a range of factors (e.g., physiological, kinetic) on the exposure-induced internal dose.

Recent events have underlined the vulnerability of sources of drinking water, and current events are constantly reminding us that this resource must be protected in order to preserve its quality and thus guarantee a sufficient water supply that is considered as safe from a public health standpoint. Today we have a rather good understanding of the microbiological risks and how to control them, but the situation is less clear for the risks associated with chemical contamination. In fact, there are still gray areas due to a lack of knowledge, particularly about the long-term effects related to the many drinking water contaminants, to the contribution of various exposure pathways in relation to water’s various uses, and to their combined action on the body.

The objective of the “Drinking Water Contaminants and Pharmacokinetic Modeling” research theme is to support and promote collaboration between RRSE researchers in carrying out research projects to better identify the risks associated with chemical contamination of drinking water. Also, the aim of this theme is to promote and facilitate the use of toxicokinetic modeling by RRSE researchers who want to take advantage of the possibilities offered by this tool.

Planned activities

Drinking water contaminants

• Characterization of the toxicokinetic profile of certain human exposure “biomarkers”, including factors that may affect their usefulness: urinary trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (repeated exposure vs. variable exposure levels), bioavailability of nitrates in relation to their origin (water vs. food).

Pharmacokinetic modeling

• Development of models applicable to vulnerable populations (e.g., children, pregnant women, fetuses, the elderly). Inventories of animal and human data (physiological, biochemical) necessary for developing toxicokinetic models.
• Training: training sessions to improve the understanding of toxicokinetic modeling will be organized for RRSE researchers and students.