One Health Chemical
One Health Chemical is a research group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS). We study how environmental and occupational exposures influence health across the life course. From the neighbourhoods we live in to the places we work. By combining exposure science, epidemiology and biological insights, we build evidence that supports risk assessment, policy and prevention.
We turn exposure data into actionable evidence: for healthier people, healthier living and working environments, and a healthier planet.
Our work aligns with Utrecht University’s broader One Health profile, where researchers from Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht join forces to address health challenges at the interface of people, animals and the environment. We contribute to the university’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using the Global Goals as a compass for research and education with societal impact.
The One Health Chemical group is headed by Professor Roel Vermeulen. Our work is structured around six research groups, each led by a group lead and co-lead. Alongside a broad portfolio of research projects across these groups, we contribute to and build on major cohort studies that enable long-term insights into exposure and health. We also run citizen science projects, inviting people to contribute data and insights on their living and working environment.
Our research groups are supported by a dedicated research support team, including data management, project management and communication.
Environmental Exposure Assessment Group
Lead: Kees de Hoogh , co-lead: Daniel Figueredo
We develop and apply advanced methods to measure and model environmental exposures, generating high-quality exposure data for robust health research.
Occupational Health Group
Lead: Susan Peters
We investigate how work-related exposures and working conditions affect health and healthy ageing, and identify opportunities for prevention and safer, healthier workplaces.
Employment is a major determinant of health and healthy ageing
Environmental Epidemiology Group
Lead: Anke Huss, co-lead: Ulrike Gehring
We study how the living environment shapes population health, including exposures such as light, noise and green space, and translate findings into evidence for public health action.
Molecular Epidemiology Group
Lead: Natalia Vilor Tejedor
We connect exposure data to biological pathways and biomarkers to understand how environmental factors “get under the skin” and why effects can differ between individuals.
Planetary Health Group
Lead: George Downward, co-lead: Danielle Vienneau (UMC Utrecht)
Embedded at UMC Utrecht, this group examines how large-scale environmental change impacts health and how transitions can protect health now and in the future, strengthening One Health through a planetary health lens.
Make the living environment part of prevention
Living Labs Group
Lead: Hanneke Posthumus
We bring research into practice through living labs: real-world collaborations with residents, public organisations and private partners to co-create, test and evaluate evidence-based, data-driven solutions for a healthy urban environment. The group connects closely with the Data- and Knowledge Hub Healthy Urban Living (DKH GSL).
