In July 2001 a collaboration between chemists, analysts, microbiologists and medical researchers was awarded a research grant ("Organometal(loid) Compounds in the Environment" FOR 415) by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

Through analysis of geogenic and anthropogenic emissions of organometal(loid) compounds, as well as investigation of formation and transformation processes in the environment and the study of geno- and neurotoxic effects, it is hoped that the significance of this class of compounds for human health can be established.