March 2021

Laure Mamy – Research Director

A large number of organic molecules, some of them resulting from agricultural practices, are released into the environment. The impact of all these molecules on the environment cannot be tested. The TyPol tool, developed by a group of researchers including Laure Mamy, a specialist in the study and modelling of pesticide behaviour in soils, can help to address this problem.

TyPol is a unique tool. It classifies organic contaminants according to their behaviour in the environment and their effects. Each compound is characterised by 40 molecular descriptors as well as environmental and ecotoxicological properties.

Designed in line with the Reach directive, the tool, which currently includes around 500 compounds, is still being expanded. It establishes statistical links between the molecular properties of contaminants, their behaviour in the environment and their effects, making it possible to estimate the effects on the environment of other, as yet untested, contaminants with similar properties.