Christel Nielsen

Christel Nielsen is an Associate Professor and Researcher at Lund University's Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, where she serves as Research Team Manager for Epidemiology within the EpiHealth: Epidemiology for Health research group. Her work focuses on understanding how environmental chemicals impact human health, with particular emphasis on PFAS (perfluorinated alkyl acids) contamination and the health effects of tattoos and other body modifications.

• Faculty of Medicine, Lund University
• Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• EpiHealth: Epidemiology for Health research group
• ORCID: 0000-0003-3940-7847

Dr. Nielsen's research spans two primary areas: investigating health effects of PFAS-contaminated drinking water in the Ronneby population, and examining potential health consequences of tattoos. She is the responsible researcher for the Ronneby Mother-Child Cohort, following 250 mothers and children from early pregnancy through childhood, and leads Lund University's part of the international Ronneby PFAS Research Program. She has also established The Swedish Tattoo Cohort, described as the world's largest cohort with self-reported information on tattoos, piercings, and related body modifications.

Her recent publications demonstrate strong focus on PFAS exposure effects on child development, transplacental transfer of contaminants, and the relationship between tattoos and health outcomes including lymphoma risk. Her research has gained significant media attention, with interviews featured by Radio New Zealand and other international outlets discussing the potential cancer risks associated with tattoos.

• Research funded by Forte, Formas, and EU via Interreg
• Active projects running through 2027
• Focus on UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and environment

Dr. Nielsen actively supervises PhD students and participates in numerous academic activities including workshops, media engagements, and serving on academic committees. Her work contributes significantly to understanding environmental health risks and informing public health policy regarding chemical exposures.