Our work

RECETOX fulfils three functions: academic and educational institution, research institution working on transformation of research into practical applications and a body supporting implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and of the sound chemicals management in general.

The Centre builds on almost 40 years of experience and its 300 staff study interactions among chemicals, environment, and biological systems as well as on interdisciplinary links, including consequences at local, regional and global levels.

Since 2003, the Centre carries out atmospheric monitoring of POPs (MONET) in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Africa and Asia. Besides the ambient air monitoring networks, it has also been conducting annual International Summer School training programme on POPs monitoring. It further focuses on laboratory analyses and new approaches to study environmental distribution, transport, bioaccumulation and effects of contaminants, incorporating environmental and human risk assessment, environmental modelling, biostatics and informatics. Other long-term activities include development of on-line data repositories and visualisation systems (GENASIS and Global Monitoring Plan Data Warehouse for Stockholm Convention). In addition, there is a long experience with international and national grants and joint projects in environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology including transfer to applications or policies.

Regional Centre works with partners within its geographical region but also with countries in Africa and Asia. It also cooperates with a number of other Stockholm Convention Regional Centres (Brazil, Mexico, Spain, India, Russian Federation etc.). The Centre closely interacts with the Secretariats of chemical conventions, ECEH WHO and UNEP Chemicals and Health Branch in Geneva.