About us

About ToxicoWatch

ToxicoWatch:

Is an independent Public Benefit Organisation, (PBO)/Dutch: Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling, (ANBI), with the aim of raising awareness of toxic pollutants, such as dioxins, PAHs, PFAS and heavy metals in the environment, which pose a threat to public health and the biodiversity of our natural world.

Provides toxicological research on a scientific basis in cooperation with local communities, in transparency and by understandable communication for the public, in accordance with the rules for scientific sampling, analysis and reporting.

Can act as a bridge between public – governments – industries, towards a toxic free world to live in.

Is a small research organisation in terms of daily staffing. Nevertheless, ToxicoWatch (TW) can rely on an extensive network of fellow scientists, TW advisory board (with Ph.D.,Dr. Kim H. Esbensen, also as a TW-partner), and accredited laboratories. With their solicited and unsolicited professional scientific knowledge and expertise in the fields of toxicology, medical science, biology, sampling and laboratory analysis, these specialists complementing our TW Research team.

ToxicoWatch is thankful for donations, small or more substantial are most welcome. As we are a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO/ANBI), donations provide tax benefits for both donors and us as a foundation.

This allows donations to be spent entirely on continuation of ToxicoWatch research for a better understanding of the impact of toxic persistent pollutants contaminating our environment and with that, posing health risks to the population.

Our history

ToxicoWatch (TW) was founded in April, 2011 by toxicologist Abel Arkenbout and is based in the historic port city of Harlingen, in the north of the Netherlands, near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Wadden Sea.

The first TW-biomonitoring research project was published in 2013. This research was conducted in TW’s home region of Harlingen, the Netherlands, with samples taken from backyard chicken eggs from private chicken coop owners for analysis on dioxins. This first research started due to concerns of the local population about the most recently constructed state-of-the-art WtE waste incineration plant, the Rest Energie Centrale, REC, in Harlingen.

The waste incinerator REC is directly located on the shores of the UNESCO Wadden Sea in Harlingen, and started into production in 2011.

The residents of Harlingen and the surrounding region were and remain very concerned about their health, due to the daily risks of toxic air pollution from this WtE waste incinerator REC. Therefore in 2011-2012, local community groups of concerned citizens involved in Harlingen, requested ToxicoWatch – as an independent research organisation on toxicology – to conducted research on dioxins in the surrounding environment of the waste incinerator REC.

This was the start for ToxicoWatch of performing biomonitoring research projects in other European countries on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as dioxins, PAH, PFAS and heavy metals in surrounding environments of (co-)waste incinerators, in cooperation with concerned local community groups. TW still regularly receives national and international requests from local concerned community groups living in the vicinity of POP emitting industries for independent research.

In 2015 Kirsten J.A.M. Bouman, joined the TW team full-time as a researcher and TW staff member of the foundation. She is involved in TW biomonitoring projects in Europe and TW research presentations.

From 2021 to 2025, ToxicoWatch has received support from Zero Waste Europe (ZWE), to expand and/or continue existing TW biomonitoring research projects on POPs near (co-) waste incinerator industries in various European countries.

Our work field

Biomonitoring research in Europe

To determine toxic substances of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), like dioxins (PCDD/F/dl-PCB), PFAS, PAH and heavy metals, in the surrounding environment of POP emitting industries by using:

Innovative biomarker samples (i.e. backyard chicken eggs, vegetation, fruit, vegetables, mother milk, sheep wool, wildlife bird eggshells) besides soil, sediment and water, indoor dust, air filter material from schools.
Innovative bioassays analyses (DR CALUX, PAH CALUX, PFAS CALUX, FITC-T4, EraCALUX) and by conventional chemical analyses (GC-MS, LC-MS/MS).

Technical data research of flue gas emissions (waste) incineration industry

ToxicoWatch have experience in research of technical semi-continuous measurement data of the flue gas emissions of waste incineration:

WtE waste incinerator REC, Harlingen, the Netherlands, 2015-2017.
Waste incinerator Ivry-Paris-XIII, Ivry-sur-Seine/Paris, France 2020-2021 (TW Report, 2023).

Participation in technical POP emission work groups:

Governmental Dutch health authorities (GGD/RIVM), Frisian provincial enforcement authorities (FUMO) and management of waste industry, Harlingen (REC), in 2014-2017.
The Basel-Rotterdam-Stockholm Convention, Conferences of the Parties (COPs 8 and 9, 2017-2019, www.brsmeas.org) in Geneva, Swiss for improvements of incineration technology, with the aim to lower the POP content of waste incineration emissions.

ToxicoWatch is open to participating as an independent participant or observer in technical working groups on POP emissions. Ideally with all parties (governments-industry-people) involved to explore and discuss the (technical) possibilities for a non-toxic living environment.

Presentations of our biomonitoring projects / data research to the public, governments and industry, in order to provide a broader understanding of dioxins, PAH, PFAS and heavy metal contamination of the environment in the vicinity POP emitting of industries.

Our guiding principles

ToxicoWatch assists public concerns on topics related to dioxins, PFAS, PAH, heavy metals (POPs), which are acting as well as endocrine disrupting compounds (ECDs). To catalyse the urgent need for a transition towards a truly sustainable development of a healthy environment to live in. ToxicoWatch (TW) follows the guiding principles:

Increase impact of scientific research on POPs

By providing data on POPs of TW toxicology field research, it is of importance to interpret these data results in the right context with the required standards set by governmental and industrial (international) agreements, besides study and comparison of other/counter research.

Biomonitoring a better understanding of pollution

A broad spectrum of multi-year biomonitoring research with innovative analyses gives a better understanding of the possible sources of pollution and the consequences of such contamination in the environment - in time - for human health and the natural biodiversity.

Promoting toxicology by biomonitoring research

The scientific study of toxicology embodies a broad scale of knowledge and understanding by experience, needed to examen and interpret the divers facets of a solid biomonitoring research on dioxins, PFAS, and other Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).

Enhancing engagement of cooperation with local groups

For TW it is important to listen and work close with local communities/groups on toxicology environmental concerns in their region, with trust and communicating in good harmony. In this way TW incorporate their public concerns in scientific based biomonitoring projects in Europe.

Passing on knowledge by internship/academy TW Biomonitoring

Founded in 2011, TW has since gained extensive experience in biomonitoring studies. Now is the time to pass on this unique knowledge to the next generation. To this end, TW is developing an academy to share its expertise in setting up science-based field research and interpreting data from various innovative analyses of different biomaterials.

Implementation of toxicology into chemical risk assessment

Toxicology is implemented into chemical risk assessment. However, both dioxins and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Their exposure-response relationships are complex and non-linear, meaning effects are not always predictable based on simple dose-response models, that even low-level exposures can have significant health impacts.

Bridge between people, science, and government

TW enables communication between governments, industry and people (concerned about POP contamination of their environment), by providing independent research. Transparent communication between all parties based on scientific independent research, and in accordance with the Stockholm-Basel and Rotterdam conventions could result in governmental and industrial actions towards a less toxic environment for the common good.

Respect to human, animal life and environment

TW respects all life and the biology on our planet Earth. We are fully committed to animal-friendly bioassays lab analysis, as an alternative for conventional lab analysis, which are based on toxic substances tested on animals. We believe that animal testing is morally unacceptable.

Our team

Staff members ToxicoWatch Foundation

Abel Arkenbout MSc, Toxicologist

Educated in biology and toxicology, (microbiology and immunology) at the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, (1972-1981). Founder of Audio-Visual Studio Utrecht for medical and toxicological topics (1981-1994). Toxicologist at the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, initiated the drug-information-monitoring system (DIMS) (Amsterdam, 1994-2007). CEO and Founder (2011) of ToxicoWatch foundation for research on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, PAH, PFAS and heavy metals in the surrounding environments of (co-) waste incinerators and POP emitting industries. Head of Research ToxicoWatch (2011-2025) on multi-year biomonitoring projects in Europe.

Kirsten J.A.M. Bouman

Educated in Management & Marketing. Employed by request of the faculty of Science, University Leiden, Bio Science Park, discipline Biology, for the position of Student-Assistant Biodiversity invertebrates (2009-2019). Educated as Nature field Guide of the Royal Dutch Natural History Society for field biology (KNNV/IVN) (2007), with dendrology as specialism. Teacher and field guide (2006-2020) of Dendrology, Leiden region. Educated by research on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Researcher at the ToxicoWatch (TW) team, Staff member, Treasurer of ToxicoWatch foundation, since 2015. Full-time researcher on TW biomonitoring research projects in Europe and co-presenter of TW research findings.

Gert-Jan Vossnack, Ing.

Educated as a mechanical engineer, with family expertise in naval construction. Since 2005 Technical Director and Co-Founder of an international company, implementing sustainable innovative ship container designs for long distance transports by sea shipment. Concerned about the environment and toxic substances, and particularly worried about the POP emissions released by WtE waste incinerator REC,Harlingen, the Netherlands. Participated with Abel Arkenbout in technical governmental working groups, and management of REC, (2013-2015). Technical expert of TW team since 2011, with skills of thoroughly analyses of technical research and construction documents. Secretary of ToxicoWatch foundation.

Advisory board members

Kim H. Esbensen, Prof., PhD

Kim is an internationally recognised expert and consultant in sampling, chemometrics, and PAT (Process Analytical Technology). In collaboration with ToxicoWatch, he has authored the articles “Biomonitoring and source tracking of dioxins in the Netherlands” and “Introduction of innovative sampling media for biomonitoring of environmental loads of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)”. He is Adjunct Professor, Aalborg University (AAU), Denmark. Adjunct Professor, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and Associated Professor, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC). Kim is Founder/Owner, Chief-consultant at KHE Consulting (KHEC), Denmark (www.kheconsult.com). Kim chaired the establishment of the world’s first horizontal (matrix-independent) sampling standard DS3077. In 2020 he published the foundational “Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Sampling”. Kim received the Pierre Gy Gold Medal in 2013 and received the IPGSAs first Distinguished Service Medal in 2024.

Janna G. Koppe. Prof. Emer, Dr.

Janna Koppe, Prof. Emer, Dr. of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Amsterdam, UvA, promoted in 1964 and in 1984. She undertook training in paediatrics and neonatology in Amsterdam. At international dioxin symposia, she gave presentations on the effects of polychlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and brominated flame retardants (PBDEs) on the cognitive development of babies. One of her articles with co-author Abel Arkenbout is ‘Babies, Dioxins and Coagulation’, which addresses the cocktail effect of PCBs, dioxins, PBDEs, HBCDs, SCCPs and MCCPs in utero. Together with Abel Arkenbout, she presented in 2015 a public presentation about the health risks of exposure to dioxins in relation to waste incineration for the community of Harlingen.

Kees Olie, Prof., Dr.

Kees Olie is an Associate Professor, University of Amsterdam UvA, the Netherlands. In 1977, he discovered dioxins in the flue gases of waste incinerators, with his promotor Professor Otto Hutzinger. In 1980 the international Dioxin Conference, officially known as the International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants, https://dioxin20xx.org/ founded by Prof. Otto Hutzinger. Each year the “Otto Hutzinger award” is presented for outstanding student presentations. Kees Olie attends all the dioxin symposia since the start, hosting all kinds of sessions. He is co-author, with ToxicoWatch, of articles: ‘Can sheep wool be used as a biomarker for dioxin pollution?’ and ‘Emission regimes of POPs from a Dutch incinerator: regulated, measured and hidden issues’, presented at the Dioxin Conferences.

Financial status

The ToxicoWatch Foundation is Public Benefit Organisations and benefits from the legal taxes associated with donations and gifts.