About us

About ToxicoWatch

ToxicoWatch:

Engages in toxicological research in which citizen science participation is of importance and citizens are actively involved in biomonitoring research.
The process of sampling is conducted in a public collaborative manner.
Explains the research results in presentations to the public.
Aims to raise awareness of the risks that toxic substances pose to our lives.
Acts as a bridge between the public, government and industry by participation in in advisory bodies and providing presentations about TW research findings.
Has a network of fellow scientists and accredited laboratories, ensuring that knowledge and expertise in the field of toxicology remain up to date.

The foundation is a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO/ANBI). Donations, large or small, are very welcome and will be used to achieve our goal of making the world a healthier place. Donations also offer tax benefits.

Our history

ToxicoWatch (TW) was founded in April 2011 by the toxicologist Abel Arkenbout, MSc.With the promise to do something meaningful for the world with his mother’s inheritance, the establishment of the ToxicoWatch Foundation (TW) was was founded in April 2011 by the toxicologist Abel Arkenbout, MSc. The foundation provides toxicological research with respect for human and animal life, particular focus on anti-vivisection.

TW’s first biomonitoring study was conducted in Harlingen, the Netherlands in 2013. Residents of Harlingen and the surrounding region are concerned about the toxic emissions of the newly build waste incinerator REC in 2011. Local community groups of concerned citizens approached TW to investigate dioxins in the surrounding area of the waste incinerator. Research was carried out on backyard chicken eggs from private individuals analysed by an innovative, animal-friendly method called the DR CALUX. A major national uproar was caused by the TW-results after the findings were verified by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). In collaboration with the government and the management of the waste incinerator, an extensive programme of research into the incinerator’s emissions was launched.

For ToxicoWatch, this marked the beginning of biomonitoring research projects into persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as dioxins, PAHs and PFAS, as well as heavy metals, in the vicinity of waste incinerators in other European countries, in collaboration with local community groups.

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

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

Our work field

Biomonitoring research in Europe

TW-Biomonitoring research in Europe involves investigating toxic substances from persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, PFAS, PAHs, and heavy metals in the vicinity of industries, by means of: Our field of work is biomonitoring research in Europe, involves monitoring toxic substances persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the vicinity of POP emitting industries.

- A wide range of samples, such as backyard chicken eggs, vegetation, fruit, vegetables, breast milk, sheep’s wool, wild bird eggshells, soil, sediment, water, dust, soot and filter material from primary schools.
- Innovative bioassays analyses (DR CALUX, PAK CALUX, PFAS CALUX, FITC-T4 and EraCALUX).
- Conventional chemical analyses (GC-MS and LC-MS/MS) on dioxins (PCDD/F/dl-PCB), PFAS, PAHs, and heavy metals.

Technical data research on flue gas emissions from the waste incineration industry. ToxicoWatch has experience in researching the semi-continuous technical data.

- 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 working groups:

- Dutch governmental health authorities (GGD/RIVM), Frisian provincial enforcement authorities (FUMO) and waste industry management (REC), Harlingen, 2014–2017.
- The Basel-Rotterdam-Stockholm Convention Conferences of the Parties (BRS COPs 8 and 9, 2017–2019, www.brsmeas.org), Geneva, Switzerland, to improve incineration technology and reduce the POP content of waste incineration emissions.
- ToxicoWatch is open to participating in consultative bodies with relevant parties to discuss the possibilities for a toxin-free living environment.

Presentation of TW-research results and findings to the public, governments and industry. Providing a platform for awareness, debate, policy, regulation, and discussion regarding the risks of industrial POP emissions—in transparency—for the public interest.

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

Transparent disclosure of POPs data from TW toxicological research to the public. The data is interpreted using standards that have been established both nationally and internationally, and then compared with the findings of other studies in a scientific context.

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.

Holistic toxicology

TW assesses the combined effect of chemicals and the manner and duration of exposure. Biomonitoring using bioassay analyses enhances our understanding of how living organisms interact with toxic substances in processes such as bioaccumulation, biomagnification and xenometabolism.

Citizen science

TW aspires to popularise science amongst the general public. Citizen participation in research is important because it allows us to listen to and work closely with local communities and groups on toxicological environmental issues in their region. We carry out the sampling collaboratively, and we use clear presentations to get them involved in the research.

Biomonitoring Academy

TW was founded in 2011 and has since gained extensive experience in biomonitoring studies. Now it is time to pass on this unique knowledge to the next generation. That is why TW is developing an academy to share its expertise in setting up scientific field research and interpreting data from various innovative analyses of different biomaterials.

Risk assessment

Toxicology is used in the risk assessment of chemical substances. Both dioxins and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This means that their effects are complex and non-linear, which means that effects are not always predictable based on simple dose-response models. With these substances, it is not the case that the dose determines the toxicity (Paracelsus). Due to their hormonal effects, lower doses can have greater toxicity.

Bridge between people, science, and government

TW acts as a bridge between governments, industry, and the public by providing independent research. Transparent communication between all parties, based on independent scientific research and in accordance with the Stockholm-Basel and Rotterdam conventions.

Anti-vivisection

TW respects life on our planet Earth. Animal testing is morally unacceptable. ToxicoWatch is committed to animal-friendly bioassays as an alternative to conventional laboratory analyses, which are based on toxic substances tested on animals.

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.