The research will focus on: identification of causal agents including contaminants such as disinfectant by-products (DBPs), and mechanisms, of environmental, and food-linked environmental hazards; understanding of exposure pathways, estimation of cumulative, low dose and combined exposures; long-term effects; definition and protection of susceptible subgroups; chronic chemical pollution and combined environmental exposures, transmission of illnesses linked to water (parasites, viruses, bacteria, etc.). The research activities carried out within this thematic priority area will include exploratory research at the leading edge of knowledge on subjects closely related to one or more topics within it.

The proposed work aims to strengthen the scientific evidence to support decision-making by public authorities, industry and individual citizens. In particular it hopes to address the lack of adequate exposure data, knowledge on exposure-response relationships in European populations and sound health risk assessment, which often inhibits the possibilities for better and effective prevention.