Health and Environmental Risk Sciences
Solutions to planetary environmental health challenges
The impact of physical, biological, and chemical factors in the environment on health is profound.
Pollution of air, water, and soil is a major global contributor to illness and mortality. Yet, the full scope of harm caused by environmental hazards is likely underestimated, as many emerging concerns—ranging from chemical contaminants to new biological and physical threats—remain insufficiently documented.
Animal health is also influenced by environmental contaminants, including those found in feed. These exposures can compromise animal welfare, reduce productivity, and present risks to human health through the food chain, particularly through the transmission of residues and (antimicrobial-resistant) pathogens.
Even with incomplete knowledge of all contributing risks, the economic and social costs of pollution are immense. Addressing these complex issues requires integrated, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches that cross the boundaries of traditional scientific fields.
Improving animal and human health
Our research programme brings together experts in exposure science, toxicology, pharmacology, molecular biology, epidemiology, and both veterinary and human medicine. Together, we are generating critical insights into how environmental factors affect the health of humans and animals.
We investigate the health effects of biological, physical, and chemical agents across a range of contexts—from general environmental exposure to domestic, occupational, and clinical settings. We use observational studies in real-world populations, supported by mathematical and statistical modeling, alongside experimental studies that help us understand how these agents cause their effects, including how they are absorbed, distributed, and act within the body.
At the heart of our work is the field of risk assessment sciences. This discipline evaluates the likelihood and potential severity of harm from environmental exposures, integrating data from toxicology, epidemiology, and exposure science to inform evidence-based decision-making.
Our ultimate aim is to provide scientific insights that can be translated into practical regulatory strategies that protect and improve the health of both animals and humans.
