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New H2020 funded project, EXPOSOGAS

02.11.2018

IOM scientists have received funding, as part of the H2020 TWINNING programme, to help develop and promote research excellence, training and professional development in the field of health aspects for oil and gas activities in the Cypriot region, using the human exposome framework.

The 36-month Horizon 2020 project will be undertaken alongside TNO and is led by the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus.

EXPOSOGAS - Exposome Paradigm and its Applications in Health and Safety Aspects of Hydrocarbons Operations in the Eastern Mediterranean – is a significantly important project for the Eastern Mediterranean region following the discovery of large natural gas reserves in Cyprus, capable of satisfying all of Southern Europe’s energy demand for the next 60 years. The energy reserves are considered the biggest investment of modern Cypriot society.

”EXPOSGAS is critical for the region to improve the skills and knowledge in the field of Exposome and the applications in safety. This programme will expand existing research infrastructures and help reduce uncertainty in exposure assessment and assessment of health risks. The national capacity relating to Exposome research with particular focus on H&S aspects of gas and oil operation will be broadened, while creating new links with key stakeholders in neighbouring EU and non-EU countries.” Says Dr. Karen Galea, Head of Exposure Science at IOM.

About the Author
Dr Karen Galea Head of Workplace Exposure Science

Karen is Head of Workplace Exposure Science in our Research Division. She is actively involved in a wide variety of research projects, mainly focused on exposure assessment relating to health risks. Her workplace based research has included inhalation, dermal and biomonitoring exposure assessment in a range of industrial sectors, exposure model validation and evaluation, historical hygiene assessment etc. Her research has also extended beyond the working environment e.g. pesticide biomonitoring in residents living near agricultural land, consumer exposure to diesel and lubricating oils, use of low cost sensors by citizens and use of respiratory protection against volcanic ash.

Contact Details:

  • Section Head - Workplace Exposure Science
  • Office: +44 (0) 131 449 8034
  • Mobile: +44 (0) 7818 426 612
  • Email: [email protected]

Qualifications:

  • PhD Environmental Medicine
  • MSc Occupational Hygiene
  • BSc (Hons) Environmental Health (First Class)

Committee and Society Memberships:

  • Member of the British Occupational Hygiene Society
  • Committee member of the UK & Ireland Exposure Science meetings
  • Member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (MIEnvSc)
  • Member of the Institute of Science and Technology (MIScT)
  • Member of the ISO/TC 146/SC 2/WG 8 "Assessment of contamination of skin and surfaces from airborne chemicals" committees
  • Member of the British Standards Institute ‘EH/002/02 Work place atmospheres’ committee

Research Interests:

Highlighted current research interests include:

  • HBM4EU - https://www.hbm4eu.eu/, in particular the European human biological monitoring study on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium.