Elevate

Welcome to the ELEVATE Project

Welcome to the website of the Elucidating Levels and Pathways of Human Exposure in Ireland to POP-BFRs and PFOS (ELEVATE) Project.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) represent a group of chemicals that are not easily degraded and so can accumulate and persist for long periods of time in the environment. Some POPs were produced for industrial use or were generated as by-products of industrial activities. In ELEVATE we will measure Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Brominated flame retardants have been used widely to flame-proof electronic goods, furniture, and other textiles. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and related chemicals have been used to impart stain and dirt repellence in carpets, paper and packaging, to provide water repellence in apparel and are used in firefighting foams. 

Currently, the health effects of many of these chemicals are not fully understood, however evidence suggests that they are toxic to humans. We will not study the health effects of these chemicals in ELEVATE, but our study, as a first step will measure how much of these chemicals are present in different environments such as the home, car, office and in the school classroom.

This website will explain everything about this study, how it works and how to take part as one of our participants.

ELEVATE Project Partners

 ELEVATE is a collaborative project between the National University of Ireland Galway and the University of Birmingham.

This project is sponsored by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency and is expected to be completed by March 2019.