Barbara LE BOT

Barbara LE BOT is a University Professor at EHESP (French School of Public Health) with a primary affiliation in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences (DEESSE). She also maintains significant teaching and research collaborations with the University of Rennes and University of Lorient (UBS). Her work focuses on analytical chemistry applications in environmental health, with specialized expertise in exposure assessment to environmental contaminants.

Her educational background includes a Chemical Engineering Diploma from the Mulhouse School of Chemistry (1993), an Advanced Study Diploma in Chemistry from the University of Mulhouse (1993), a Doctoral Thesis in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Nantes (1996), and Accreditation to Direct Research from the University of Rennes 1 (2011). Since 1996, she has been a professor at EHESP, where she has developed a distinguished career in environmental health sciences.

Professor LE BOT's research interests center on the assessment of human exposure to environmental contaminants, with particular focus on water quality for human consumption from source to tap and indoor environmental quality. Her work involves developing analytical chemistry methods for measuring environmental exposure and biological biomarkers in matrices such as blood, urine, and hair. Her specific areas of expertise include exposure to veterinary residues via drinking water, semi-volatile compounds in indoor environments (air, dust), and the development of methods for analyzing exposure biomarkers. Her research aims to assess direct exposure to estimate the environmental contribution to overall human exposure.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on indoor environmental contaminants, particularly semi-volatile organic compounds in dust and air. Her work spans analytical method development, exposure assessment in various settings (daycare centers, sports facilities, homes), and health implications of environmental exposures. Key research themes include flame retardants, pesticides, heavy metals (particularly lead), and water contaminants. Her research often involves large-scale cohort studies and contributes directly to public health guidelines and regulatory standards.

Professor LE BOT serves on multiple expert committees including AFNOR commissions (water quality standards), the Prioritization Expert Committee of the French Biodiversity Agency, the Board of Directors of EHESP, and various working groups at ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety). Her expertise is frequently sought for establishing public health guidelines for environmental contaminants.

She teaches across multiple institutions and programs, with primary responsibilities at EHESP for water quality sequence in sanitary study engineers' training, environmental health courses in Public Health Master's programs, and teaching on environmental quality and exposure. At University of Rennes 1, she teaches sampling and sample preparation in Analytical Chemistry Master's programs and ICP/MS techniques in agri-food programs. At University of Lorient (UBS), she teaches micropollutant analysis techniques. Her teaching consistently focuses on practical applications of analytical chemistry to environmental health problems.

Her laboratory affiliations include the Department of Environmental Health Sciences (DEESSE), the Laboratory for Study and Research in Environment and Health (LERES), and the UMR 1085 Institute for Research on Health, Environment and Work (IRSET). These research units provide the infrastructure for her analytical work on environmental contaminants and exposure assessment. Her research often involves interdisciplinary collaboration across environmental science, toxicology, epidemiology, and public health policy domains.