Project R-16162

Nanoparticles in Urine and Blood as Biomarkers for Occupational Exposure to Carcinogens—a pilot study (Research)

Occupational cancer remains a major cause of work-related deaths in the EU. Despite improvements in prevention over recent decades, there are still certain groups of workers who are at high risk of exposure to carcinogens. However, monitoring occupational exposure to these substances presents a significant challenge. In this seed funding project funded by Kom Op Tegen Kanker, we are introducing a new approach to monitoring exposure to carcinogens: nanoparticles in urine and blood as biomarkers of exposure. To measure these nanoparticles, we are applying two innovative techniques: femtosecond pulsed laser illumination for the detection of carbon black particles, and single-particle ICP-MS (sp-ICP-MS) for the detection of nanoparticles consisting of metals or silica.

01 March 2025 - 28 February 2026