Duration
Part 1 : Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk : 24h Th, 18h Pr
Part 2 : Environmental toxicology and health impacts : 12h Th, 18h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in environmental science and management (120 ECTS) | 6 crédits | |||
| Master in environmental science and management (60 ECTS) | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Part 1 : Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk : Célia Joaquim-Justo
Part 2 : Environmental toxicology and health impacts : Corinne Charlier
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Part 1 : Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
The parameters for determining the fate of pollutants in the biosphere (transport, partition, degradation) and at the organization level (accumulation, redistribution in organs, metabolism, detoxification and elimination) will be presented.
The study of the effects of pollutants on organisms will be detailed (ecotoxicological tests that define the toxicity of substances, dose-response relationships, mechanisms of action at the molecular, cellular, tissue, physiological, organismal and population levels). Interactions of various pollutants and their impact on their effects on organisms will also be discussed.
Current tools for assessing pollution-related disturbances will be presented (monitoring and biomarkers). To illustrate these concepts, ecotoxicological tests will be conducted by the students so that they take the measure of the power and limitations of methods for assessing the toxicity of substances. We also propose to introduce students to the principles that govern the quantitative assessment of risk from chemicals, as realized in the EU (European Union), and provide the basics that allow this evaluation.
After an introduction to the principles on which the quantification of risk is based, techniques for estimating emissions and pollutant concentrations expected in the environment will be exposed. These such models, some of which will be detailed (McKay, EUSES, ...). The evaluation of the toxicity threshold of substances with respect to organisms in different compartments of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems will also be detailed. Finally, the decision procedures based on risk assessment will be reviewed. To illustrate these concepts, we will take the environmental risk analysis (Ecological Risk) of chemicals or proposed for the industrial production based on actual cases. Based on these exercises, students will be assigned case studies in order to put them in the position of the expert toxicologist, in order to make them aware of the key elements in decision-making by experts ( precautionary principle versus realistic assessment of risk) as well as areas where improvements are still to be developed.
Part 2 : Environmental toxicology and health impacts
After the introduction, dedicated to history of toxicology, we will study:
1) different ways of entrance in body for chemicals
2) toxicokinetic : ADME
3) toxicodynamic principles
4) risk assessment (TLV, symbols, NOEl, TDI, ...)
5) monography of main toxics
6) quantification methods
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Part 2 : Environmental toxicology and health impacts
We will try to give to the students some general knowledge about toxicology, with a particular attention to some definitions and to the main principles included in the risk definition for a chemical substance
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Part 1 : Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
The course will include lectures, practical sessions in the laboratory and real case studies prepared and exposed to all other students by groups of students.
Part 2 : Environmental toxicology and health impacts
Ex cathaedra cursus
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
Part 1 : Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
Face-to-face
Part 2 : Environmental toxicology and health impacts
Lecture in ARLON by half days in second semester.
One visit of the lab in Liège university hospital to discover the techniques.
Recommended or required readings
Part 1 : Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
Principles of Ecotoxicology (Walker et al., Taylor & Francis)
Mechanistic toxicology (Boelsterli, Taylor & Francis)
Ramade 2007. Introduction à l'écotoxicologie: fondements et applications
Part 2 : Environmental toxicology and health impacts
Syllabus with main slides
Assessment methods and criteria
Part 1 : Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
Evaluation of the general behaviour during the practical sessions in the laboratory and of the test report required.
Evaluation of the presentation of the real case study concerning the quantitative risk assessment (group work).
Written evaluation (final exam)
Part 2 : Environmental toxicology and health impacts
Written examination in june
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Contacts
Part 1 : Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
Dr. Joaquim-Justo
Laboratory of Animal Ecology & Ecotoxicology
Bât. B6c
Allée du 6 Août, n°11
4000 Liège
Tel: +32 4 366 51 40
e-mail: Celia.Joaquim-Justo@ulg.ac.be
Part 2 : Environmental toxicology and health impacts
Prof. Corinne CHARLIER
Clinical, forensic, environmental and industrial toxicology
Bloc central +3 porte 166 CHU
Phone (secretary: B.Cornet) : 04/3667683
Toxclimedileg@chu.ulg.ac.be
Assistants : Raphaël DENOOZ, Catherine PIRARD
Items online
Part 1 : Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk
Slideshows course and praticals
Slideshows course and praticals