2023-2024 / ENVT3016-1

Environmental toxicology and health

Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk

Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts

Duration

Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk : 16h Th, 12h Pr
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts : 8h Th, 12h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in environmental science and management (120 ECTS)4 crédits  

Lecturer

Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk : Célia Joaquim-Justo
Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts : Corinne Charlier

Coordinator

Célia Joaquim-Justo

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

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.

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

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk

The objective of this course is to offer students a comprehensive and detailed view of the problems related to the presence of toxic pollutants in the environment. 
Specific objectives are:
- Knowledge of properties, sources and the fate of the major classes of toxic pollutants in the environment
- Knowledge of the effects and mechanisms of action of these toxic pollutants on organisms / biocenoses
- Knowledge of the tools for the ecotoxicological management of these toxic pollutants, in general and in the specific context of the EU and RW.
- Initiation to the practical realization of ecotoxicological tests
 

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

Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk

In order to benefit from this course, students must have solid notions of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology which are all essential to the understanding of the mechanisms of action of pollutants and ecotoxicological tests.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk

The concepts discussed in the theoretical course will be further elaborated by practical laboratory work on the measurement of the toxicity of toxic pollutants on model species of freshwater invertebrates and following standardized test protocols (AFNOR, OECD, EU). . 

Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts

Courses, scientific literature, real examples from current events

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk

The majority of theoretical courses are lectures with power point support. The concepts discussed in the theoretical course will be deepened by practical laboratory work.

Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts

Blended learning


Additional information:

Lecture in ARLON by half days in second semester and/or podcasts.
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

Part 1: Ecotoxicology and quantification of ecotoxicological risk

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

- Remote

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

The course will be evaluated on the basis of a written (closed book) exam.

Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- Remote

written exam


Additional information:

Written examination in june and september (QCM on E-campus)

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

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@uliege.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) : 04/3237683 (secretoxico@chuliege.be)

Assistants : Raphaël DENOOZ, Catherine PIRARD, Nathalie DUBOIS

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online

Part 2: Environmental toxicology and health impacts

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