Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology

Director: Professor Emeritus Dr. Khunying Mathuros Ruchirawat

Chemical pollution in the environment is a problem that impacts human health and development of disease in many countries around the world, including Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 24% of the global disease burden and an estimated 23% of all deaths are attributable to environmental factors, and that as many as 13 million deaths could be prevented every year by making our environment healthier. In terms of a specific disease of increasing concern around the world, WHO has estimated that roughly 19 percent of all cancers are attributable to the environment.

Research in environmental toxicology is important for sustainable development, as it allows us to identify key problem areas that need to be addressed to minimize impacts from the use of chemicals. This is an area of growing interest and concern, both to the scientific community and to the public since chemicals and pollutants together with other environmental factors are recognized as major determinants of human health status. An increasing number of publications indicate a clear impact of environmental pollutants on human health through modulation of physiological and pathological status.

Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology at the Chulabhorn Research Institute therefore focuses on research into major environmental health problems from exposure to chemicals in the environment. Research is conducted that spans the exposure-disease paradigm, from measurement of ambient exposures to assessment of internal exposures and early biological effects that can be linked to disease development. Chemical pollutants of specific interest include carcinogenic compounds found in the environment and in food, as well as volatile organic compounds, pesticides, toxic metals, and other toxicants. Special focus is placed on particularly susceptible populations, and this includes the developing fetus that might be exposed in utero, resulting in early biological changes that may manifest as disease later in life. Research that leads to identification of sources of exposure and assessment of mechanisms underlying development of early effects can lead to measures for prevention of disease for the ultimate benefit for human health.

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Research & Academic Activities

Environmental Toxicology Articles

31 Jan 2023

1,178

Research goals

To elucidate mechanisms through which chemical and biological agents in the environment induce pathogenesis. To study the association between environmental and occupational exposures and effects of toxicants, particularly carcinogenic compounds in air and water, in selected populations. To study the effects of environmental pollutants and industrial chemicals as modifiers of physiological and pathological status, and the influence of host factors, such as nutritional status and disease states, on toxicity and carcinogenicity of chemicals.

Impacts of exposure to genotoxic air pollutants in susceptible populations

30 Jan 2023

1,323

Impacts of exposure to genotoxic air pollutants in susceptible populations

Air pollution is a global issue with serious health impacts to the health and disease status of the public. WHO reported that air pollution is strongly linked to mortality and morbidity from effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, as well as cancer. Thailand and other countries in the region are affected by problems associated with air pollution. Genotoxic air pollutants, in particular, have significant potential impacts on human health. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been associated with lung cancer, while volatile organic compounds, such as benzene and 1,3-butadiene, have been associated with leukemia incidence. These pollutants have many sources, including combustion, as well as production and use in the industrial sector. CRI thus focuses on research on the effects of exposure to air pollution on the health of the public, using principles of molecular epidemiology and utilizing various biomarkers, including biomarkers of exposure and biomarkers of early biological effects, such as effects on DNA. The Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology has conducted molecular epidemiological studies on the impacts on health in exposed populations, i.e., those living in Bangkok, using biomarkers of exposure and early biological effects to assess health risks in these populations. Results showed that susceptible populations who are exposed to these genotoxic air pollutants from traffic-related sources (e.g., traffic policemen, street vendors and school children in Bangkok), from their...

Health impacts of arsenic exposure in utero.

28 Jan 2023

1,305

Health impacts of arsenic exposure in utero.

Arsenic is an environmental pollutant that is classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is found naturally in the environment and is also used as a therapeutic agent in pigs and chickens, as well as a pesticide. In Thailand, arsenic contamination in the environment is mainly because of tin mining, leading to contamination of food and drinking water. In animal experiments, arsenic has been shown to cross the placenta to the developing embryo and lead to cancer later in life (i.e., adulthood). The Chulabhorn Research Institute has conducted research on the impacts of exposure to arsenic in pregnant mothers on gene expression in infants. Tissue samples were collected from mothers and newborns from Ronpibul district, Nakhon Sri Thammarat province, an area known to be contaminated with arsenic. Results showed that newborns from mothers in the study area had elevated levels of arsenic in their hair and nails, compared to newborns from a control site. This was also the first published study to show differential expression of 11 genes that were identified as promising markers for arsenic exposure. These genes are involved in apoptosis, cell signaling, inflammation and stress responses. Additionally, it was found that levels of DNA methylation in the promoter region of the p53 gene were associated with levels of arsenic...

Study of the environmental and genetic risk factors associated with liver cancer and cholangiocarcinoma

30 Nov 2022

1,279

Study of the environmental and genetic risk factors associated with liver cancer and cholangiocarcinoma

The Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology participates in the integrated research program of the Chulabhorn Research Institute on Liver cancer through the study of 1) Environmental and life styles, and genetic risk factors of HCC and CCA. 2) Molecular mechanisms associated with liver cancer and cholangiocarcinoma development. 3) Molecular signaling underlying cholangiocarcinoma progression and therapeutic opportunities and 4) Identification of novel targeted molecules as potential therapeutic targets for cholangiocarcinoma in Thai patients. Research described above will lead to identification of important etiological factors and development of more targeted policy measures for prevention and early detection of liver cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. Previous Next

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