Information System for Agriculture and Food Research

BfR - Division 7: Safety of consumer products (BfR - PRS)

The BfR Product Safety Department was set up to identify, research, assess and prevent health risks from cosmetics, tobacco products, consumer articles (food packaging, toys, baby bottles, teats, cleaning agents, garments, etc) as well as other consumer products (furniture, mattresses, carpets, DIY products, etc.). It takes into account not only the undoubtedly existing knowledge gaps in science-based risk assessment but also the concerns of the public at large in this field into account. Experimental projects on migration and exposure as well as the toxicity of chemical substances in articles of daily use are an integral part of these assessment activities. The remit of Department 7 includes the co-ordination and overall evaluation of risk assessments, the identification of research needs for risk assessment and the initiation and accompaniment of internal and external research projects to support risk assessments. The Department represents BfR on national and international panels such as the Working Group “Cosmetic Products” of the EU, the 'Committee of Experts on Cosmetic Products' of the Council of Europe, the joint working group of the Plastics Commission of BfR and the Drinking Water Committee of UBA (Federal Environmental Agency) “Consumer Articles in Contact with Drinking Water”, the Working Group “Cosmetics” of the ALS (Association of Food Chemical Experts) as well as national and international standardisation committees.

Parent institution:

Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Details of BfR

Address

BfR - Division 7: Safety of consumer products (BfR - PRS)
Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10
10589 Berlin

Berlin

Phone: +49-(0)30-18412-4538
Fax: +49-(0)30-18412-4928

email: 7(@)bfr.bund.de

Activities:

• Research

Focus of Research:

• Analyses of consumer products (including tobacco) and their ingredients to tissue-specific toxicological characteristics with regard to metabolism
• Development and validation of screening methods for sensitizing, endocrine and genotoxic characteristics of chemical substances of consumer products
• Method development and validation for the sensitive analytical detection of the above mentioned substances and their metabolites and of nanoparticles that have been migrated, in cell cultures or tissue cultures or as basis for biomonitoring studies
• Migration, penetration/absorption and metabolism of substances of commodities (e.g. food-contact articles, toys, clothes) in skin and lung with special regard to plasticizers (e.g. phthalates), perfluorinated substances, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (

Coordinated projects

• 2009: Development of a method suited to identify epigenetic effects in cells in culture upon exposure to low doses of model compounds, 2010: Investigation of epigenetic effects of consumer product-related model compounds in vitro Details of 2009: Development of a method suited to identify epigenetic effects in cells in culture upon exposure to low doses of model compounds, 2010: Investigation of epigenetic effects of consumer product-related model compounds in vitro
• 2009: Skin Penetration of Substances from Consumer Products 2010: Combined Migration and Skin Permeation of Phthalates from Consumer Products Details of 2009: Skin Penetration of Substances from Consumer Products 2010: Combined Migration and Skin Permeation of Phthalates from Consumer Products
• Activation of azo dyes to genotoxic metabolites by skin bacteria and studies for skin penetration Details of Activation of azo dyes to genotoxic metabolites by skin bacteria and studies for skin penetration
• Additives that increase addicitivness and attractivness of tobacco products Details of Additives that increase addicitivness and attractivness of tobacco products
• Advancement of toxicological study parameters in human cell cultures Details of Advancement of toxicological study parameters in human cell cultures
• Cell cycle effects on the endocrine system and phase I metabolism Details of Cell cycle effects on the endocrine system and phase I metabolism
• Characterization of cellular effects of contact sensitizers in vitro: Analysis of phosphotyrosine signaling pathways by far western blotting and establishment of a screening method Details of Characterization of cellular effects of contact sensitizers in vitro: Analysis of phosphotyrosine signaling pathways by far western blotting and establishment of a screening method
• Characterization of metabolizing enzymes and biotransformation of selected test substances in human in-vitro skin models to identify an optimal test system for dermato-toxicological and exposure-related studies Details of Characterization of metabolizing enzymes and biotransformation of selected test substances in human in-vitro skin models to identify an optimal test system for dermato-toxicological and exposure-related studies
• Chemical Imaging of Human Cells after Exposure to Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in vitro Details of Chemical Imaging of Human Cells after Exposure to Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in vitro
• Determination of di-iso-butylphthalate (DiBP) and di-n-butylphthalate (DnBP) in paper and board packagings for infant formulae and in the packaged food Details of Determination of di-iso-butylphthalate (DiBP) and di-n-butylphthalate (DnBP) in paper and board packagings for infant formulae and in the packaged food
• Determination of perfluorinated compounds in simulants for contact with fatty food (simulant D) Details of Determination of perfluorinated compounds in simulants for contact with fatty food (simulant D)
• Developing analytical, imaging method for the identification of nanoparticles in cell lines (THP1 cells) as well as the elucidation of the effects obtained Details of Developing analytical, imaging method for the identification of nanoparticles in cell lines (THP1 cells) as well as the elucidation of the effects obtained
• Developing analytical, imaging method for the identification of nanoparticles in cell lines (THP1 cells) as well as the elucidation of the effects obtained. Details of Developing analytical, imaging method for the identification of nanoparticles in cell lines (THP1 cells) as well as the elucidation of the effects obtained.
• Development and evaluation of a method for the detection and quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in consumer products Details of Development and evaluation of a method for the detection and quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in consumer products
• Development and validation of a simple analytical method for quantification of mineral oil components MOSH and MOAH in foods based on conventional liquid chromatography and GC-FID Details of Development and validation of a simple analytical method for quantification of mineral oil components MOSH and MOAH in foods based on conventional liquid chromatography and GC-FID
• Development of a 'Contact Allergen Activated T-Cell (CAATC)-Assay' using dendritic cells from skin: characterization of the sensitizing potency of chemicals via dendritic cell-induced expression of lineage specific T cell transcription factors Details of Development of a 'Contact Allergen Activated T-Cell (CAATC)-Assay' using dendritic cells from skin: characterization of the sensitizing potency of chemicals via dendritic cell-induced expression of lineage specific T cell transcription factors
• Development of a contact allergen-induced T-cell assay using Langerhans cells: 2009: Expression of lineage specific T-cell transcription factors as biological endpoint suitable to indicate chemical induction of sensitization 2010: Measurement and quantification of transcription factors via qRT-PCR and FACS Details of Development of a contact allergen-induced T-cell assay using Langerhans cells: 2009: Expression of lineage specific T-cell transcription factors as biological endpoint suitable to indicate chemical induction of sensitization 2010: Measurement and quantification of transcription factors via qRT-PCR and FACS
• Development of an analytical, imaging method for the determination and localisation of nanoparticles in a cell line (THP-1 cells) Details of Development of an analytical, imaging method for the determination and localisation of nanoparticles in a cell line (THP-1 cells)
• Development of an LC-MS/MS method for the determination of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) like fluortelomer alcohols, perfluorinated carboxylates (e.g. PFOA) and sulfonates (e.g. PFOS) Details of Development of an LC-MS/MS method for the determination of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) like fluortelomer alcohols, perfluorinated carboxylates (e.g. PFOA) and sulfonates (e.g. PFOS)
• Development of methods for cleavage of azo dyes by human skin bacteria in vitro Details of Development of methods for cleavage of azo dyes by human skin bacteria in vitro
• Development of screening assays for the assessment of the toxicity of migrants from commodities in keratinocytes Details of Development of screening assays for the assessment of the toxicity of migrants from commodities in keratinocytes
• Establishment and development of gentoxicity testing methods - Setup of the COMET assay for ingedients of product Details of Establishment and development of gentoxicity testing methods - Setup of the COMET assay for ingedients of product
• Examination and drafting of Summary Datasheets on toxicity data related to the evaluation by the CEF Panel of substances to be used in food contact materials Details of Examination and drafting of Summary Datasheets on toxicity data related to the evaluation by the CEF Panel of substances to be used in food contact materials
• Examinations of poly- or perfluorinated compounds in food contact materials Details of Examinations of poly- or perfluorinated compounds in food contact materials
• Expert toxicological assessment of smoke constituents (ETASC) Details of Expert toxicological assessment of smoke constituents (ETASC)
• Expression analysis of drug-metabolizing enzymes in human keratinocytes after treatment with selected xenobiotics Details of Expression analysis of drug-metabolizing enzymes in human keratinocytes after treatment with selected xenobiotics
• Expression of xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent monooxygenases in human keratinocytes and permanent skin cell cultures Details of Expression of xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent monooxygenases in human keratinocytes and permanent skin cell cultures
• Genotoxicity testing in 3D model ? Establishment and adaptation of the COMET assay using a model for bronchial epithelia exposed to ingredients of consumer products Details of Genotoxicity testing in 3D model ? Establishment and adaptation of the COMET assay using a model for bronchial epithelia exposed to ingredients of consumer products
• Identification of novel molecular biomarkers enabling reliable assessment of endocrine distruptor activity in-vitro Details of Identification of novel molecular biomarkers enabling reliable assessment of endocrine distruptor activity in-vitro
• Inhibition of the transcription factor Nrf2 as a putative mechanism of toxicity exerted by compounds from dyes, glues and vulcanization accelerators in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) Details of Inhibition of the transcription factor Nrf2 as a putative mechanism of toxicity exerted by compounds from dyes, glues and vulcanization accelerators in human keratinocytes (HaCaT)
• Investigation of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of water pipe smoke Details of Investigation of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of water pipe smoke
• Investigation of metabolites of the tobacco specific nitrosamine NNK, acrylamide and acrolein in urine of smokers of waterpipes Details of Investigation of metabolites of the tobacco specific nitrosamine NNK, acrylamide and acrolein in urine of smokers of waterpipes
• Investigation of mutagenicity in the smoke of waterpipes and cigarettes Details of Investigation of mutagenicity in the smoke of waterpipes and cigarettes
• Investigation on migration of substances and substance mixtures from colored textiles Details of Investigation on migration of substances and substance mixtures from colored textiles
• Investigation on the skin penetration and skin toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Details of Investigation on the skin penetration and skin toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• Investigations on metabolism of the skin with in vitro models Details of Investigations on metabolism of the skin with in vitro models
• Investigations on the genotoxicity of formaldehyde in human cells in culture: Repair of DNA-protein crosslinks and identification of a 'threshold' dose for carcinogenic activity Details of Investigations on the genotoxicity of formaldehyde in human cells in culture: Repair of DNA-protein crosslinks and identification of a 'threshold' dose for carcinogenic activity
• Metabolism of polyaromatic hydrocarbons by the microbiome of the skin Details of Metabolism of polyaromatic hydrocarbons by the microbiome of the skin
• Method development for the characterisation and quantification of toxic volatile impurities from consumer goods, transported in fumigated shipping containers Details of Method development for the characterisation and quantification of toxic volatile impurities from consumer goods, transported in fumigated shipping containers
• Method development for the identification of biomarkers for risk assessment of endocrine disruptors and phthalates Details of Method development for the identification of biomarkers for risk assessment of endocrine disruptors and phthalates
• Mixtures of PAHs in consumer products – Toxicity in human keratinocytes Details of Mixtures of PAHs in consumer products – Toxicity in human keratinocytes
• Mutagenicity and toxicity of water pipe smoke Details of Mutagenicity and toxicity of water pipe smoke
• NanoGEM: Nanostructured Materials - Health, Exposition and Material Properties Details of NanoGEM: Nanostructured Materials - Health, Exposition and Material Properties
• Nrf2-deficient human cell lines as a biological tool to screen for compounds of toxicological concern in consumer products. Details of Nrf2-deficient human cell lines as a biological tool to screen for compounds of toxicological concern in consumer products.
• PERFOOD - Perfluorinated Compounds in our diet Details of PERFOOD - Perfluorinated Compounds in our diet
• Perfuoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in breast milk: Contents, time trends, relevance of influencing factors including individual consumption patterns and assessment for the breast fed infant Details of Perfuoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in breast milk: Contents, time trends, relevance of influencing factors including individual consumption patterns and assessment for the breast fed infant
• Plasticizing substances from food packaged in glass containers with metal lids - analytics and exposition Details of Plasticizing substances from food packaged in glass containers with metal lids - analytics and exposition
• Production of textiles with defined composition and investigation of migrates Details of Production of textiles with defined composition and investigation of migrates
• Proof of sensitization in human dendritic cells of the skin in a migration assay and induction of T cell response in in-vitro models without animal experiments Details of Proof of sensitization in human dendritic cells of the skin in a migration assay and induction of T cell response in in-vitro models without animal experiments
• Proteomic analysis of cellular changes after treatment with contact allergens in human monocytic cell lines and in primary dendritic cells Details of Proteomic analysis of cellular changes after treatment with contact allergens in human monocytic cell lines and in primary dendritic cells
• Proteomic analysis of oxidative stress after nanoparticle treatment in cell culture to study cytotoxicity mechanisms Details of Proteomic analysis of oxidative stress after nanoparticle treatment in cell culture to study cytotoxicity mechanisms
• Public Information Tobacco Control (PITOC) Details of Public Information Tobacco Control (PITOC)
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of toxicological relevant matters in the mainstream smoke of the waterpipe Details of Qualitative and quantitative analysis of toxicological relevant matters in the mainstream smoke of the waterpipe
• Quantification of the migration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from various consumer products at regular handling conditions Details of Quantification of the migration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from various consumer products at regular handling conditions
• Scented toys: Exposure of infants against allergenic scents - Research on the analysis and biological effects of allergens in toys Details of Scented toys: Exposure of infants against allergenic scents - Research on the analysis and biological effects of allergens in toys
• Screening assays for toxic and sensitizing substances in mixtures of azo dyes and its metabolites using human keratinocytes Details of Screening assays for toxic and sensitizing substances in mixtures of azo dyes and its metabolites using human keratinocytes
• Skin penetration in vitro Details of Skin penetration in vitro
• Studies on skin penetration of ingredients of cosmetics and commodities using in-vitro methods Details of Studies on skin penetration of ingredients of cosmetics and commodities using in-vitro methods
• Studies on the allergenic potential ingredients of commedities and cosmetics using the local lymph node assay Details of Studies on the allergenic potential ingredients of commedities and cosmetics using the local lymph node assay
• Studies on toxicity and genotoxicity of substances from commodities, e.g. azo dyes and vulcanisation aids Details of Studies on toxicity and genotoxicity of substances from commodities, e.g. azo dyes and vulcanisation aids
• Tattoo inks: chemical characterization and distribution in the human skin Details of Tattoo inks: chemical characterization and distribution in the human skin
• The inflammatory milieu in human skin affected by chemical contact allergens Details of The inflammatory milieu in human skin affected by chemical contact allergens

Involved in research projects:

• Characterization of the barrier function of human reconstructed skin models Details of Characterization of the barrier function of human reconstructed skin models
• Studies on the metabolism of azo dyes in clothing textiles and cosmetics: Evidence of azo cleavage by skin bacteria and characterization of metabolites Details of Studies on the metabolism of azo dyes in clothing textiles and cosmetics: Evidence of azo cleavage by skin bacteria and characterization of metabolites