About BARGE

BARGE (the Bioaccessibility Research Group of Europe) is a European network bringing together international institutes and research groups to study human bioaccessibility of priority contaminants in soils such as arsenic, lead and cadmium via the gastrointestinal tract.

The correct estimation of bioaccessibility has the potential to impact on current risk assessment practice in a major way. BARGE members are currently involved in comparing and evaluating the many models and systems that have been developed over the years to measure bioaccessibility and contaminant exposure (Oomen et al. 2002). A priority objective is to provide robust and defensible data on bioaccessibility that can be used in human health risk assessment and policy making.

Unified Bioaccessibility Method (UBM)

The BARGE Unified Bioaccessibility Method

Some time ago we undertook a joint decision to progress research in the field of in vitro bioaccessibility method development in order to harmonise the use of bioaccessibility in human health risk assessments for contaminated soils in Europe.

Reference material

BGS Bioaccessibility Reference Material

The BGS has prepared a UK reference sample for bioaccessibility and total element determinations, which can be used to provide quality assurance in bioaccessibility testing.