Marya Lieberman decided to let the local community’s needs drive her scientific process. She found herself out of the lab and on the front lines of the opioid epidemic.Your friendly neighborhood analytical chemist: If there is such a thing, Marya Lieberman embodies it. The 28-year veteran of Notre Dame’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty invariably appears with a broad smile and a hair color that seems to emanate from her effervescent personality—sometimes heliotrope purple, sometimes neon blue.You’ll spot Lieberman not just in the corridors of Stepan Chemistry Hall, where she leads a lab bustling with graduate students, but also around the city of South Bend, where she maintains an extensive list of community partners and field testing sites.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Marya_Lieberman_in_her_lab_inside_Notre_Dame_s_Stepan_Hall_of_Chemistry_982b228465.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame: Marya Lieberman in her lab inside Notre Dame's Stepan Hall of Chemistry." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Marya_Lieberman_in_her_lab_inside_Notre_Dame_s_Stepan_Hall_of_Chemistry_982b228465.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="675">Her work revolves, in fact, around the idea of getting both yourself and your chemistry out of the lab.“We use lab-based techniques to analyze samples we collect in the field,” she said, “but our real specialty is in designing chemical tests that can occur in the community, where they can lead to a bigger and more immediate impact.”Anyone who has watched a strip of pH paper change colors in a glass of lemon juice has a sense of what a chemical test outside the lab might look like. Like a pH strip, Lieberman’s designs are lightweight, low-cost, and simple to use—not as a matter of convenience but rather to enable a kind of “citizen science,” where members of the public participate in gathering data.For Lieberman, involving the public is essential at every stage of the scientific process.“The crucial first step in all science,” she explains, “is to refine the question you’re trying to answer. You can have the most advanced analytical techniques, but if you’re not engaged in analyzing something that matters—that makes a difference to people’s lives—then your science won’t make an impact. That’s where the community comes in. When we’re asking questions that have to do with the community’s needs, then we are in a better place to work alongside the community in gathering data and implementing a solution.”The value of Lieberman’s approach became apparent in 2016 when she grew concerned hearing news reports about the number of children in the local community suffering from the effects of lead poisoning. Along with colleagues in public health, data science, and physics, Lieberman helped launch Notre Dame’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://leadinfo.nd.edu/">Lead Innovation Team</a>, and she used her lab’s expertise to develop low-cost lead screening kits, which were ultimately provided free of charge to the local community.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Marya_Lieberman_works_alongside_fellow_Notre_Dame_Lead_Innovation_Team_member_and_founding_member_Heidi_Beidinger_during_e2c195a507.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame: Marya Lieberman works alongside fellow Notre Dame Lead Innovation Team member and founding member Heidi Beidinger during a Mulch Madness event. Spreading mulch helps prevent lead poisoning by sequestering chips from lead-based paint in the soil." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Marya_Lieberman_works_alongside_fellow_Notre_Dame_Lead_Innovation_Team_member_and_founding_member_Heidi_Beidinger_during_e2c195a507.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="800" height="533"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_During_Mulch_Madness_researchers_bring_handheld_analyzers_into_the_community_to_test_for_lead_in_a_matter_of_seconds_ec6b3922fd.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame: During Mulch Madness, researchers bring handheld analyzers into the community to test for lead in a matter of seconds." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_During_Mulch_Madness_researchers_bring_handheld_analyzers_into_the_community_to_test_for_lead_in_a_matter_of_seconds_ec6b3922fd.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="800" height="533">“Putting tests in people’s hands empowers them,” Lieberman said. “Lead abatement can be a daunting, expensive process, leading many people to avoid finding out about lead in the paint, dust, soil, or water where they live. But if you give people the power to understand more deeply where the lead is located and what the risks and costs might be, you give them the power to make decisions to keep themselves and their families safe.”<h4>An Immediate Impact</h4>A few years later, a new, even more daunting problem appeared on Lieberman’s radar—not from the news but from a contact in the coroner’s office in Indianapolis.“We began hearing about ‘overdose epidemics,“ where paramedics were responding to as many as 20 calls a day for drug overdose–related emergencies, many of them from the very same block,” she recalled. “Something completely new had entered the drug supply, and people were unaware of what they were taking.”The problem, it turned out, was statewide. Drug overdose deaths across Indiana had quadrupled between 2000 and 2014. Especially concerning was the arrival of new synthetic opioids. Deaths in Indiana related to these drugs increased 600 percent between 2012 and 2016. The major culprit was fentanyl, a drug similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more powerful. (For most people, a dose of just two milligrams—a fraction of the weight of a drop of water—could prove fatal.)But the problem was more difficult than just weeding out fentanyl. The problem was the way the drug supply fluctuated, with new, unfamiliar, unmarked substances appearing unexpectedly. There were numerous variants of fentanyl, for example—acetylfentanyl, acrylfentanyl, carfentanil, furanylfentanyl—and there was also xylazine, a kind of tranquilizer approved only for use in animals that, when combined with fentanyl, can become lethal.Just as with lead poisoning, Lieberman saw that a quick, low-cost test for fentanyl and other drugs was the answer—not one that could end the opioid epidemic, certainly, but one that could have an immediate impact, preventing overdoses and giving people second chances they otherwise would not have.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Researchers_prepare_solutions_for_testing_the_accuracy_of_fentanyl_test_strips_6e9dab9d7a.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame: Researchers prepare solutions for testing the accuracy of fentanyl test strips." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Researchers_prepare_solutions_for_testing_the_accuracy_of_fentanyl_test_strips_6e9dab9d7a.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="800" height="533"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Researchers_test_several_brands_of_strips_in_order_to_identify_blind_spots_and_false_positives_682e13f796.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame: Researchers test several brands of strips in order to identify &quot;blind spots&quot; and false positives." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Researchers_test_several_brands_of_strips_in_order_to_identify_blind_spots_and_false_positives_682e13f796.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="800" height="533">“We too often lose sight of the fact that drug overdoses are almost always accidental and are quite often treatable to save the life of the person who overdoses,” she said. “With a quick test, people can gain information about a drug. After a person has tested their drug, they might decide to use that drug in a much safer way or even not to take it at all. That information could be literally life-saving.”To get testing strips into the hands of people who use drugs, Lieberman partners with local community organization <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://naxosneighbors.com/">Naxos Neighbors</a>. The organization encourages a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach known as “harm reduction” and powers that approach with innovative technologies. Naxos Neighbors delivers test strips and trains people to use them. Then Naxos Neighbors collects them and returns them to Lieberman’s lab for further analysis that reveals a real-time picture of the current drug supply.Joanne Kelley Cogdell, CEO of Naxos Neighbors, pointed out that “the most important people who have the most accurate and timely data on the drug supply are people who use drugs. Until we include them in the process, we are not going to solve this problem.”<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_Myriam_Nicodemus_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Joanne_Kelley_Cogdell_CEO_of_Naxos_Neighbors_4ef335f3ec.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame / Myriam Nicodemus:Joanne Kelley Cogdell, CEO of Naxos Neighbors." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_Myriam_Nicodemus_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Joanne_Kelley_Cogdell_CEO_of_Naxos_Neighbors_4ef335f3ec.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="675">Lieberman received seed funding from Notre Dame’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hwi.nd.edu/about/office-of-clinical-partnerships/">Community Health and Clinical Partnerships</a> through the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hwi.nd.edu/funding/emerging-opportunities-in-health/">Emerging Opportunities</a> in Health program in 2022. Then, in 2023, Lieberman and Cogdell were awarded the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lucyinstitute.nd.edu/the-2023-lucy-societal-impact-awards/">2023 Next Changemaker Award</a> from Notre Dame’s Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://indianactsi.org/community/chep/trailblazer-award/">Trailblazer Award</a> from the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, both of which provided additional funding to support their ongoing efforts.Lieberman’s lab is using these resources to develop methods to analyze used strips for more than 70 types of drugs. The lab relays its findings back to Naxos Neighbors, which shares alerts with law enforcement, first responders, medical care providers, and community organizations to inform them about what substances they may encounter in their work.“Alerts and real-time data collection are critical because the drug supply changes so quickly,” Lieberman said. Small changes in the data can inform critical decisions that occur during or after an overdose.“Although in most overdoses, there is an opportunity to intervene and save the person’s life, first responders need a picture of what a person who has overdosed may have taken,” Lieberman said. “When paramedics show up, they can use an overdose-reversing drug like Narcan. Then, the person might start breathing but not wake up. So responders could give multiple doses of Narcan, not realizing that another drug such as xylazine caused the overdose.”“When someone seeks addiction recovery help,” Lieberman said, “that person may think they are addicted to a particular substance, such as heroin, but they may not realize they were also addicted to something else they had been taking without their knowledge, such as benzodiazepines. Health care providers and addiction recovery coaches can’t help them as effectively if they don’t realize what the addiction stems from.”At the same time that Lieberman’s lab is sharing its data with the community, the researchers are also using that data to advance the science of drug testing and to improve testing strips. As part of a study recently published in the Harm Reduction Journal, Lieberman and her graduate student Kathleen Hayes tested more than 200 fentanyl analogs, or variants, using existing test strips. They discovered that these widely used strips have “blind spots,” meaning they can detect some but not all fentanyl analogs. The lab now leads an ongoing effort to monitor the effectiveness of different brands of test strips. Lieberman is also collaborating across campus with fellow chemistry professor Jon Camden and chemical and biomolecular engineering professors Matthew Webber and Yichun Wang to identify new detection methods that could help create the next generation of drug testing strips.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Graduate_student_Anita_Amate_removes_fentanyl_solutions_stored_in_a_refrigerator_along_with_other_controlled_cf9bd2159c.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame: Graduate student Anita Amate removes fentanyl solutions stored in a refrigerator along with other controlled substances for use in the analysis of street drugs." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Graduate_student_Anita_Amate_removes_fentanyl_solutions_stored_in_a_refrigerator_along_with_other_controlled_cf9bd2159c.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="800" height="533"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Professor_Marya_Lieberman_works_with_Anita_Amate_4d274c0e37.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame: Professor Marya Lieberman works with Anita Amate." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_Taking_her_science_to_the_streets_Professor_Marya_Lieberman_works_with_Anita_Amate_4d274c0e37.jpg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="800" height="533">Since Lieberman’s work now involves not just testing dust, paint, water, and soil for lead, but also testing illegal drugs, she has built a new set of partnerships—those with local law enforcement and federal and state drug agencies. As the first facility on Notre Dame’s campus to work with illegal drugs, Lieberman’s lab had to undergo a construction project that added a special high-security inner room equipped with a camera that delivers a video feed of the activities in the room to law enforcement. Her lab gained approval from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the Indiana Board of Pharmacy and developed relationships with the St. Joseph County sheriff and prosecutor and with Chief Analyst John Rorabeck at the Berrien County Forensic Laboratory at Andrews University.Although the project has involved added security—including building a literal wall—the most gratifying part for Lieberman has been the way the project breaks walls down. When asked about the ways her fieldwork is serving the local community’s needs, Lieberman often paused to express discomfort with the idea, preferring to point out that “the field is here, and we are the community.” She said a far-reaching problem like the opioid epidemic makes that clear.“We tend to think of drug addiction and overdose affecting a certain kind of person—a person who is different from us,” she said. “But when I started working on this project, I was really surprised by how many of my friends, neighbors, and colleagues talked to me about how they had been impacted by the opioid crisis—some had lost a family member to an overdose; some had struggled with addiction themselves. We know that for every person who overdoses, there are seven to 10 family members and friends who are strongly impacted. When we touch this problem, we touch those lives as well.”

Taking her science to the streets

Eliška Řehůřková works at the RECETOX center as a&nbsp;researcher and doctoral student. Since her master’s studies, she has focused on Cellular and Tissue Toxicology, currently specializes in male reproductive toxicology. In the interview, she explains why she chose toxicology, what she sees as the problem with animal testing, what challenges her field faces, and what causes more and more couples to struggle with reproductive issues.<div><div><div><div><h5>How did you come to study at RECETOX?</h5>I first studied for a&nbsp;bachelor’s degree in special biology at Masaryk University, but during that time, I&nbsp;was already focusing on ecotoxicology, which interested me the most and was partly conducted here at RECETOX. For my master’s degree, I&nbsp;studied fully at RECETOX, where a&nbsp;new field of Environmental Health was emerging at that time. I&nbsp;wrote my thesis on the topic of Static and Dynamic 3D Cultivation of Human Liver Cell Spheroids under the supervision of Pavel Babica and within the research group of Cellular Toxicology, led by Pavel together with Iva Sovadinová, where I&nbsp;am now also working on my dissertation.<h5>The title of your dissertation is Advanced In Vitro Systems Relevant to Human Health Applicable in Male Reproductive Toxicology and Biomedicine. What does this topic cover?</h5>Simply put, I&nbsp;am developing complex in vitro models, i.e., cellular models that could be used to test the effects of chemicals from our environment on male reproductive health. Specifically, my model is based on the transformation of stem cells into Leydig cells, which are responsible for producing testosterone in the testes. In other words, I&nbsp;am creating a&nbsp;model that could help to test how various chemicals might impact testosterone production in men.<h5>What motivated you to pursue a&nbsp;PhD after completing your master’s degree?</h5>Initially, I&nbsp;didn’t plan to pursue a&nbsp;PhD and continued working at RECETOX as a&nbsp;laboratory technician. It was during this time that I&nbsp;got involved in a&nbsp;project related to reproductive health, which intrigued me, and I&nbsp;was offered the opportunity to continue with a&nbsp;PhD. Since I&nbsp;found the topic interesting and meaningful, I&nbsp;decided to go for it. Reproductive health issues affect a&nbsp;significant portion of the population. I&nbsp;have personally experienced how reproductive problems impact the lives of my loved ones, and I&nbsp;am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to their solution, even if only indirectly.<h5>You mentioned the Cellular and Tissue Toxicology research group led by Pavel Babica and Iva Sovadinová. Could you introduce it a&nbsp;bit more?</h5>Our group studies the effects of chemicals at the cellular and tissue levels. For example, we focus on liver cell models, which play a&nbsp;key role in processing substances we come into contact with. We investigate whether chemicals are toxic to the liver and how liver cells process these substances—some can be neutralized, while others can create toxic intermediates that increase the risk of liver damage and potentially lead to cancer. We also focus on reproduction, particularly on the mentioned testicular cells, which are crucial for sperm production, hormone production, and overall reproductive capability. Testicular cells are sensitive to various chemicals that can affect their function and thus fertility. Additionally, we study various cellular processes, such as cell-to-cell communication.<h5>The group primarily aims to develop in vitro models that could partially replace animal testing. What is your personal view on animal testing?</h5>The question of whether to test on animals is quite complex, and everyone has a&nbsp;slightly different opinion on it. I&nbsp;used to wonder whether it was really necessary to test on animals, whether so many were needed, and I&nbsp;thought about whether they suffer or not and their quality of life. At RECETOX, I&nbsp;learned about the 3R concept, introduced in 1959. This concept states that when using animals in experiments, three principles should be followed: reducing their number as much as possible, replacing animal tests with alternative methods, and improving their conditions to minimize suffering. My work involves developing such an alternative method—a cellular model that would contribute to the principle of replacement. However, it is important to realize that one alternative method will certainly not replace an entire animal experiment. Rather, it would be a&nbsp;whole set of different alternatives.<h5>Is the ethical aspect the main reason why your field is seeking alternatives to animal use?</h5>It is certainly one of the factors, but animal testing also presents other challenges. It is both financially and time-consuming, and as is sometimes said in toxicology, a&nbsp;human is simply not a&nbsp;seventy-kilogram mouse. Due to the different biological processes between these species, there can be significant differences in how chemicals affect humans and mice. Having relevant models that use human cells and show how chemicals affect human processes would therefore be very meaningful.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/RECETOX_Problemy_reprodukcniho_zdravi_se_tykaji_velke_casti_populace_i_proto_chci_prispet_k_jejich_reseni_rika_vyzkumnice_Eliska_Rehurkova_50df29703e.jpg" alt="RECETOX:&nbsp;Reproductive health issues affect a large portion of the population, and I am glad that I can contribute to their solution, says researcher Eliška Řehůřková" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_RECETOX_Problemy_reprodukcniho_zdravi_se_tykaji_velke_casti_populace_i_proto_chci_prispet_k_jejich_reseni_rika_vyzkumnice_Eliska_Rehurkova_50df29703e.jpg 126w," sizes="100vw" width="575" height="709"><h5>Let’s return to the issue of reproductive health. What causes fertility problems and how current is this issue?</h5>Since the 1970s, there has been a&nbsp;significant decline in sperm concentration in ejaculate, with some studies reporting a&nbsp;decrease of up to half. This trend has even led to adjustments in the criteria for diagnosing male fertility. Another alarming fact is the rate at which sperm concentration is declining. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in six couples faces infertility, which is approximately seventeen percent of the population. The causes of fertility problems are numerous and cannot be attributed to a&nbsp;single factor. We are talking about a&nbsp;combination of genetic predispositions, epigenetic changes, environmental influences, as well as lifestyle and socioeconomic factors. For example, obesity, smoking, stress, sedentary work, or lack of exercise can significantly affect fertility. We live in an environment where we are constantly surrounded by various chemicals, such as pesticides in agricultural products, flame retardants in furniture, or stabilizers in cosmetics. And it is precisely the role of chemicals that I&nbsp;focus on.<h5>What is currently the biggest challenge in your scientific field?</h5>It is certainly the amount of chemicals we currently produce. In the European Union alone, twelve thousand types of chemicals are produced annually in quantities greater than one ton, of which only ten percent have been regulated. This means that we only know the effects on health for ten percent. Overall, there are about 350 million chemicals, and these are only individual substances, not their mixtures. Testing this vast number of substances using traditional animal tests is unrealistic. Prioritizing through in vitro methods could help eliminate at least those substances that are likely to have no effect and focus on those with higher risk.<h5>Do you personally avoid any chemicals as an expert in the field?</h5>Honestly, not much. There are so many chemicals that can affect our health that it’s hard to pick just one to avoid. For example, the plastics we drink from contain substances known to disrupt the hormonal system, especially in women. Yet, they are still commonly used. I&nbsp;think that instead of each individual trying to avoid specific substances, more attention should be paid to their regulation and replacement.<h5>Where do you see yourself in the future? Do you have any plans for your professional career?</h5>I&nbsp;honestly don’t know yet; I’m just happy with what I&nbsp;have now. Currently, I&nbsp;am only in my second year, so I&nbsp;am still studying, attending lectures and exams, but I&nbsp;also supervise my students in the lab and, of course, work on my dissertation. One of the specifics of my field is that we work with cells, which are still living organisms with their own moods and fluctuations, so it can be quite challenging at times. But that’s the case with any PhD study.<h5>What do you enjoy most about science?</h5>What I&nbsp;enjoy most about science is that there is always something new, I&nbsp;am constantly learning, and I&nbsp;am always in contact with people who inspire me in some way.<h5>What do you enjoy the least?</h5>When I&nbsp;work on something for a&nbsp;month and a&nbsp;half and then find out it didn’t work, and I&nbsp;have to start over. But that’s just part of the job in my field (laughs).<blockquote>Eliska Rehurkova received IFER funding from 2024–2025 for her project, 'Stem Cell-Based Leydig Cell Models for Reprotoxicity Testing and Biomedicine Applications.' Her research aligns with IFER's mission to advance innovative methods that replace and reduce the use of animals in research and testing. To learn more about her project, you can visit the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ifer.org/graduate-fellowship-recipients/eliska-rehurkova-project">IFER webpage</a> or watch <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hH_h57jSq4" data-anchor="?v=2hH_h57jSq4">this video</a>.</blockquote></div></div></div></div>

Reproductive health issues affect a large portion of the population, and I am glad that I can contribute to their solution, says researcher Eliška Řehůřková

In recent years, furniture made from wooden pallets—whether for gardens or homes—has gained significant popularity. The reason is clear: pallets are inexpensive, widely available, environmentally recyclable, and aesthetically appealing. However, few people realize that not all pallets are safe for home or garden use - primarily due to the chemical treatments they undergo for international shipping. What chemicals are used in treating pallets? What effects do they have? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://watrex.com/?utm_source=labrulez&amp;utm_medium=propagace&amp;utm_campaign=labrulez_clanky">Watrex Praha</a> has prepared an article to help you recognize potentially dangerous ones.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Watrex_uvod_fab3b90196.jpg" alt="Watrex Praha: Chemical Analyses Warn: Pallet Furniture May Contain Toxic Substances" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Watrex_uvod_fab3b90196.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="900">At first glance, pallets may appear to be simple wooden materials. In reality, it’s more complicated. Pallets primarily serve as transport packaging that must withstand mold, insects, moisture, and chemical sprays. To ensure hygiene during international transport, they are subject to the ISPM 15 standard, which dictates the treatment of the wood: either heat treatment (HT) or fumigation with methyl bromide (MB). The latter can leave harmful chemical residues in the wood.<h4>Chemicals Used in Pallet Treatment&nbsp;</h4>One of the most problematic substances is methyl bromide (MB), a pesticide previously used extensively. It is neurotoxic and negatively affects the respiratory system, eyes, and nervous system. It has long been banned in the EU, but older pallets may still contain it. In addition, pallets may be contaminated by other chemicals absorbed during the transport of industrial materials or liquid products. Contamination can be localized (e.g., oil stains) or widespread due to the absorption of volatile substances.&nbsp;<h5>Toxicology:&nbsp;</h5><ul><li>Neurotoxic: Affects the central nervous system, may cause headaches, seizures, confusion, and in extreme cases, death.&nbsp;</li><li>Mutagenic and Carcinogenic: Long-term exposure is suspected of genotoxic effects.&nbsp;</li><li>Ecotoxic: A potent greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance (banned by the Montreal Protocol).&nbsp;</li></ul><blockquote><h5>Important!&nbsp;</h5>Pallets marked with the code "MB" (e.g., “HT DB MB”) should not be considered safe —the wood may still contain methyl bromide residues.</blockquote><h4>Formaldehyde, Toluene, and Heavy Metals&nbsp;</h4>Used pallets may be painted with coatings that pose additional risks (allergic reactions, skin and mucous membrane irritation, chronic health problems from prolonged exposure, and release of volatile organic compounds).<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Watrex_2_8545eddf39.jpg" alt="Watrex Praha: Chemical Analyses Warn: Pallet Furniture May Contain Toxic Substances" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Watrex_2_8545eddf39.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="900"><h5>Formaldehyde&nbsp;</h5>Formaldehyde is a simple aldehyde found in many materials used in furniture production. In pallets, it may be present due to industrial paints, adhesives, or preservatives. It is a pungent-smelling gas and a proven carcinogen (IARC Group 1). It is released at room temperature and prolonged exposure can cause mucosal irritation, headaches, asthma symptoms, and, in extreme cases, neurological disorders.<h5>Toluene&nbsp;</h5>Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon commonly found in glues, paints, and solvents. It may enter pallets through chemical cargo or surface treatments. Inhalation affects the central nervous system: short-term exposure may cause euphoria, drowsiness, and disorientation; long-term exposure can impair memory, concentration, and behavior.<h5>Heavy Metals</h5>Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, or chromium may be present in pallets due to old industrial coatings. These metals are persistent and toxic: lead damages the nervous system, cadmium accumulates in the kidneys and is carcinogenic, and chromium (especially Cr VI) is highly irritating and toxic. The danger lies in their release into dust or food when in contact with pallet wood.&nbsp;<h4>How to Recognize a Safe Pallet&nbsp;</h4>The key indicator is the marking according to ISPM 15. Look for burned-in or stamped codes:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Watrex_3_4344832d6e.jpg" alt="Watrex Praha: How to recognize a safe pallet" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Watrex_3_4344832d6e.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="900">Pallets that are unmarked, heavily soiled, painted with unknown substances, or have a strong chemical odor are **not** suitable for furniture making. Ideally, a pallet should be clean, dry, unpainted, and marked “HT.”&nbsp;<h4>Summary for DIYers and Designers&nbsp;</h4><ul><li>Use only pallets marked “HT.”&nbsp;</li><li>Avoid unmarked pallets or those with obvious stains, oil spots, or paint.</li><li>Before use:&nbsp;<ul><li>Thoroughly clean and sand the pallet,&nbsp;</li><li>Treat it with an eco-friendly varnish or wax suitable for indoor/outdoor use.&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul><h4>Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>Pallet furniture can be a beautiful and eco-friendly solution - if you pay attention to the origin and treatment of the wood. Chemicals used in the transport of wooden pallets pose a real risk—to both human health and the environment. Awareness of pallet markings and their treatments is the key to safe home use. So next time you’re sanding down a pallet, make sure you know what you’re working with.&nbsp;<blockquote>For more interesting information, visit our website <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://watrex.com/?utm_source=labrulez&amp;utm_medium=propagace&amp;utm_campaign=labrulez_clanky">www.watrex.com</a>.</blockquote>

Chemical Analyses Warn: Pallet Furniture May Contain Toxic Substances

<h4>Research with useful outcomes even while grant is in process</h4>Pharmacrime – forensic identification of prohormones and counterfeit medicine (Czech security research grant VJ01010043) is a project led by UCT Prague Associate Professor <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.cz/articles?search=Martin+Kucha%C5%99">Martin Kuchař</a>. His team, together with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.cz/companies/20">Police of the Czech Republic’s Institute of Criminalistics</a> and the Customs Administration of the Czech Republic’s Technical Laboratory, constitute the core of a now-functional network of institutions working together in the fight against increasingly sophisticated counterfeit drugs.Pharmacrime is not only an academic exercise; outputs from the grant are being put into real-world use even while the research project is officially still in process.<h4>It’s not only about counterfeit drugs</h4>The project is focused not only on known counterfeits of well-known drugs, but also explores products that are not officially registered for consumption in the Czech Republic but which are still available for purchase such as “miracle” remedies for weight loss, for improving erections, or for increasing muscle mass. These often contain selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), peptide hormones, or products such as Ozempic or Wegovy that are massively abused worldwide.“The prevalence of use of these substances is higher today than with well-known drugs; for example, in the US, 10-13% of the population uses them,” Martin Kuchař said.<h4>What specifically did UCT Prague’s research team do?</h4><ul><li>They monitored the market, including darknet marketplaces, from where they obtained real samples of suspicious substances.</li><li>They obtained and analysed new substances that have not yet been fully described in terms of forensic practice.</li><li>They developed certified analytical methodologies for detecting substances such as enobosarm, ligandrol, and growth hormones (GHRP, GHS).</li><li>They developed a rapid immunochemical test (ELISA) for detecting growth hormones in illegal “products” with the potential for real-world use by the Czech Police and Customs Administration.</li><li>They participated in drafting an amendment to Czech Government Regulation No. 454/2009 Coll., entering into force on 1 July 2025. It will increase the list of regulated hormonal substances by more than ten new substances.</li></ul><h4>A collaborative effort that will endure</h4>In addition to this, the grant also has another fundamental benefit: it connected institutions that previously worked on their own: the Institute of Criminalistics, the Czech Institute for State Control of Veterinary Biologicals and Medicines (ÚSKVBL), the Czech Anti-Doping Committee (CADC), the Customs Administration, and relevant academic institutions, as well as pharmaceutical industry representatives. Thanks to joint workshops, a collaborative network of experts was created and they now communicate effectively with one another.<h4>Immediate commercial potential</h4>In addition to scientific outputs and methodologies, the project is on the verge of its first commercial success: forensic institutions have already shown interest in the immunochemical test for growth hormone developed as part of the grant by Assoc. Prof. Barbora Holubová’s laboratory.“I am very happy about this project. We not only have final results, but it also has real-world impact. This is exactly what applied research should be about,” Assoc. Prof. Kuchař said.

Counterfeit drugs, the market for illegal hormones, and research with direct real-world impact: a team from UCT Prague’s Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances helps protect public health

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RECETOX (Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment) is an independent department of the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University in Brno, which has been established in 1983. RECETOX is focused on the research and education in cross-cutting area of Environment and Health. It addresses interactions among chemicals, environment, and biological systems, including consequences at local, regional, and global levels.

RECETOX - Centrum pro výzkum toxických látek v prostředí

The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague is a natural centre of first-rate study and research in the area of chemistry in Czechia and is one of the country's largest educational and research institutions focused on technical chemistry, chemical and biochemical technologies, material and chemical engineering, food chemistry, and environmental studies.

Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze

The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic academic community of higher learning, animated from its origins by the Congregation of Holy Cross. The University is dedicated to the pursuit and sharing of truth for its own sake. As a Catholic university, one of its distinctive goals is to provide a forum where, through free inquiry and open discussion, the various lines of Catholic thought may intersect with all the forms of knowledge found in the arts, sciences, professions, and every other area of human scholarship and creativity.

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