The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking expressions of interest from institutions to contribute to the second phase of WHO initiatives to evaluate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Expressions of interest are welcome for systematic evidence collection and evaluation for key health effect categories for prioritized ingested PFAS identified through a landscape review conducted in the first phase of WHO initiatives to evaluate PFAS. Expressions of interest are welcome to specify which health effect categories, since there are multiple (e.g., Metabolic, Reproductive, Endocrine, Hepatic, Cardiovascular and circulatory, Developmental, Nervous and neurobehavioral, Immune, Cancer Renal and urinary, etc), recognizing that these categories are not mutually exclusive and may overlap.
Expressions of interest are also welcome to provide methodological guidance to ensure that the evidence collection and evaluation activities align with best practices.
Deadline for applications: 9 June 2025 (see full application details below).
Background
Public health concern about human exposure to PFAS, including through drinking-water and food, is increasing and many PFAS share similar routes of human exposure and mechanisms of toxicity. A number of countries and authorities have published or proposed guidance values for PFAS in recent years that vary considerably, depending on the PFAS included, methodology used and a variety of other factors. There is a need to develop authoritative health-based values for key ingested PFAS, including for drinking water and as mixtures, that can be adopted and utilized by national and regional authorities.
WHO is finalizing a landscape review identifying key ingested PFAS and key health effects. In this phase of work (Phase 1), WHO is also preparing a generic methodology to systematically collect and evaluate PFAS evidence. This proposed work in this Call builds upon Phase 1 findings. This work will ultimately inform derivation of health-based guidance values for PFAS, including consideration of mixtures risk assessment.
Work Packages
Work package 1: Systematic collection and evaluation of key health effects evidence for prioritized PFAS
A preliminary general protocol was developed in Phase 1, without specifying the PFAS or health effect. This work package will involve:
- Refine the general protocol based on a specific key health effect and pilot test the approach
- Use of the protocol to collect and evaluate the available human, animal, in vitro, and toxicokinetics evidence, including (but not limited to) risk of bias
- Coordination with teams evaluating other health effects and with the WHO Technical Advisory Group on PFAS Assessment to ensure consistency, quality and alignment and skill sharing
Work package 2: Provide guidance to ensure that the activities in Work Package 1 align with best practices in curation, collection, synthesis and review of the evidence
Interested organizations are invited to apply to either, but not both, of the work packages. The outputs from the work packages would be informed by expert meetings involving a WHO Technical Advisory Group on PFAS Assessment.
Specific requirements
Qualifications and experience required: One or more of the following:
- Experience in key health effect(s) of ingested PFAS and the underlying evidence base
- Experience with systematic evidence collection and review for complex chemical issues
- Familiarity with WHO’s requirements for developing normative publications
Timeframes
This work is anticipated to start in Q4 2025 and be completed by Q3 2026. There is a possibility for follow up work beyond this time frame.
Application details
Submission of application package:
Applications should be submitted by email by midnight GMT 9 June 2025 to ipcsmail@who.int and include:
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae of staff to be involved
- Summary statement outlining:
- The specific Work Package (#1 or #2); For Work Package 1, the health effect category or categories of interest
- Expertise and experience relevant for the role(s)
- Confirmation of availability during 2025-2026
- Daily rates
Applicants should also note that they will be required to comply with WHO policies regarding declaration of interests if selected to participate in this work.