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[Translate to English:] © Christian Teichmann ​/​ sfs

BRISA - Breakthrough research on industrial safety against airborne carcinogens and emerging pollutants

01.06.2026 bis 31.05.2030

Research area Work and Participation in Europe and Regions | Antonius Johannes Schröder | Dr. Ralf Kopp

BRISA tackles the urgent challenge of carcinogenic and emerging airborne industrial pollutants, linked to 53% of occupational cancers in the EU and 125,000 premature deaths annually. Energy-intensive industries remain key emitters of respirable crystalline silica, incidental nanoparticles, tVOCs, benzene, phenol, formaldehyde, bisphenol, BFRs, PFAS, PAHs, ultrafine particles, and microplastics, where current prevention strategies, monitoring methods, and regulatory frameworks are insufficient. The project applies a science-based, multi-layered methodology.

BRISA Project Logo

European Commission - Horizon Europe

On the left flag of Europe. On the right in blue writing in English: Funded by the European Union
Funded by the European Union (GA No. 101294264 ). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

BRISA tackles the urgent challenge of carcinogenic and emerging airborne industrial pollutants, linked to 53% of occupational cancers in the EU and 125,000 premature deaths annually. Energy-intensive industries remain key emitters of respirable crystalline silica, incidental nanoparticles, tVOCs, benzene, phenol, formaldehyde, bisphenol, BFRs, PFAS, PAHs, ultrafine particles, and microplastics, where current prevention strategies, monitoring methods, and regulatory frameworks are insufficient. The project applies a science-based, multi-layered methodology.

Layer 1 consolidates regulatory, toxicological, and exposure intelligence into FAIR datasets and harmonised protocols. 

Layer 2 operationalises the Hierarchy of Controls by: 

  1. SSbD-based substitution routes (low-silica feedstocks, bio-binders, organosilane-coated feldspars, safer recycled polymers)
  2. smart monitoring with semi-fixed, wearable and stack sensor units predicting risks via AI-enabled digital twins
  3. adaptive protection integrating continuous risk management, human-in-the-loop alerts, and immersive training

Layer 3 ensures systemic validation across 5 pilots (ceramics, foundry, mineral fillers, ELT and plastics recycling), combining TRL6 demonstrations with sustainability, tox/ecotox datasets, techno-economic analysis, and a quantitative SSbD scoring framework.

BRISA aims to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate safe, clean industrial technologies through a ground-breaking, multi-layered methodology designed to systematically tackle Carcinogenic and Emerging Priority Industrial Pollutants (CEPIPs) and thereby reduce risks to human health and biodiversity.

  • Level 1: Consolidation of information on legislation, toxicology and exposure in FAIR-compliant datasets, and the development of harmonised protocols
  • Level 2: Translation of findings into concrete measures and tailored strategies
  • Level 3: Systematic validation across five pilot projects