CAS has granted a license to the NIES, a Japanese non-profit research organization closely affiliated with the Japan Ministry of Environment, to conduct basic studies on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and quick screening analytical methods for the measurement of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, using CAS’ exclusive P450 Human Reporter Gene System (HRGS) cell line.

NIES’ Research Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management will conduct this research as part of an effort to find alternative, cheaper and quicker methods to the only approved method in Japan for the measurement of dioxins – high resolution GC/MS.

Dioxin and related compounds are a serious issue in Japan because of the number of incinerators in use for waste management, and the close proximity of the Japanese populace to industry and pollution sources.

CAS has the exclusive, worldwide rights to the bioengineered human liver cell line. Over the years, CAS has developed a method, approved by the United States EPA as Method 4425, to screen for dioxin and dioxin-like compounds at sub parts per billion levels in soil, water and tissue.

CAS has a commercial partner in Japan, Nihon Environmental Services Company, that is currently performing services for customers in Japan using this cell line. They will cooperate with NIES in their studies.