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This research project aims to develop assays for the detection of metabolites and bio-conjugates of several anticholinesterase pesticides.
<p>This project aims to develop immunodiagnostic tools for the detection of urinary metabolites and bio-conjugates of several organophosphate and carbamate pesticides.
<p>The resulting antibodies will be characterised in terms of specificity and sensitivity and diagnostic immunoassays developed using the appropriate matrix.
In its report on Risk Assessment of Mixtures of Pesticides and Similar Substances, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) highlighted the requirement for tools to investigate exposure to, and possible interactive effects of, mixtures of pesticides.
<p>Such tools would need to be cost effective and sensitive in order to allow high throughput and the detection of exposure to low levels of pesticide.
<p>Immunoassays fulfil these criteria. Some of the most widely used pesticides are anticholinesterase insecticides: organophosphates and carbamates.
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.