Suchergebnisse

Dieser Bericht beschreibt die Gehalte und zeitliche Entwicklungen der persistenten und mobilen Substanz Trifluoracetat (TFA), dem Anion der Trifluoressigsäure, in archivierten pflanzlichen Proben der Umweltprobenbank des Bundes. Die erhobenen Zeitreihen der TFA-Gehalte umfassen den Zeitraum von 1989 bis 2020. Der Bericht beschreibt zudem die analytische Methode zur Quantifizierung von TFA in den untersuchten pflanzlichen Matrices und gibt Angaben zur Methodenperformance. Die TFA-Gehalte untersuchter Blatt- und Nadelproben bewegten sich überwiegend im zwei- bis dreistelligen μg/kg-Bereich (bezogen auf das Trockengewicht). Proben unterschiedlicher Standorte derselben Baumart lagen jeweils in einem ähnlichen Konzentrationsbereich. Die höchsten TFA-Gehalte (bis zu ca. 1000 μg/kg Trockengewicht) wurde in Proben der Pyramidenpappel gefunden. Für beide Standorte der Pyramidenpappel und für drei der vier untersuchten Standorte der Rotbuche konnte ein statistisch signifikanter Anstieg der TFA-Gehalte innerhalb des Untersuchungszeitraums festgestellt werden. Die Ergebnisse der Nadelproben deuten ebenfalls auf einen Anstieg der TFA-Gehalte hin, wenngleich für diese, aufgrund der geringen Anzahl von Proben, keine statistische Trendbetrachtung möglich war.

The NSAID in vitro assay developed as a tool for environmental monitoring of pharmaceutical effects was validated for its suitability to detect COX inhibitor activity in surface water. A standard operation procedure based on solid phase extraction of aqueous samples was established by modifying a sampling protocol for the detection of estrogens with the aim to stabilize NSAIDs in the samples. In addition, the sensitivity of the NSAID in vitro assay was improved by minimizing matrix effects and improving the stability of the substrate arachidonic acid. The validation characteristics linearity, measurement range, accuracy, precision and limit of detection were evaluated. The test procedure was used for measuring 39 surface water samples taken at EU Watch List sampling sites in 14 EU member states and 4 Swiss cantons between autumn 2017 to spring 2018. Diclofenac equivalents measured by the NSAID in vitro assay were compared with data obtained by chemical analysis (LC-MS/MS) of diclofenac and other COX-inhibitors.

Die vorgestellte Arbeit ist Teil des BMBF-Verbundprojekts "SchussenAktivplus", das an den Bodenseezuflüssen Schussen und Argen durchgeführt wird. Die Kläranlage (KA) Langwiese bei Ravensburg, welche in die Schussen einleitet, wurde im Winter 2013 mit einer Pulveraktivkohlestufe aufgerüstet. Im hier vorgestellten Teil des Projektes wurde der Gesundheitszustand von Flohkrebsen (Gammarus spec.) und die Integrität der Makrozoobenthosgemeinschaft an Probestellen ober- und unterhalb der KA sowie vor und nach Ausbau der KA untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich der Ausbau der KA mit einer Pulveraktivkohlestufe bereits 15 Monate nach Einbau positiv auf den Gesundheitszustand von Flohkrebsen und die Artengemeinschaft des Makrozoobenthos auswirkt.

PFAS only the tip of the iceberg: Each water sample was contaminated with mobile forever chemicals such as TFA, PFPrA or TFMS. But also 26 of the 34 non-fluorinated PMT/vPvM substances analysed were detected, including 1H benzotriazole, 1,4-dioxane, melamine, cyanuric acid and diphenyl guanidine. A representative survey of 27 water laboratories in Germany (twelve commercial laboratories, eleven laboratories of a federal state and 4 laboratories of water suppliers) now shows that out of 79 requested PMT/vPvM substances 60 % are not monitored due to lack of analytics ("analytical gap") or lack of monitoring ("monitoring gap"). At the same time, the research project of the German Environment Agency shows that 51 % of these 79 PMT/vPvM substances cannot be removed from raw water with activated carbon filters or ozone. The PMT/vPvM prioritisation framework supports ⁠REACH⁠ registrants, regulators, researchers and the water sector to take immediate action to protect drinking water resources.

Abstract
Background
Safe and clean drinking water is essential for human life. Persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) substances and/or very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances are an important group of substances for which additional measures to protect water resources may be needed to avoid negative environmental and human health effects. PMT/vPvM substances do not sufficiently biodegrade in the environment, they can travel long distances with water and are toxic (those that are PMT substances) to the environment and/or human health. PMT/vPvM substance research and regulation is arguably in its infancy and in order to get in control of these substances the following (non-exhaustive list of) knowledge gaps should to be addressed: environmental occurrence; the suitability of currently available analytical methods; the effectiveness and availability of treatment technologies; the ability of regional governance and industrial stewardship to contribute to safe drinking water while supporting innovation; the ways in which policies and regulations can be used most effectively to govern these substances; and, the identification of safe and sustainable alternatives.

Methods
The work is the outcome of the third PMT workshop, held in March 2021, that brought together diverse scientists, regulators, NGOs, and representatives from the water sector and the chemical sector, all concerned with protecting the quality of our water resources. The online workshop was attended by over 700 people. The knowledge gaps above were discussed in the presentations given and the attendees were invited to provide their opinions about knowledge gaps related to PMT/vPvM substance research and regulation.

Results
Strategies to closing the knowledge, technical and practical gaps to get in control of PMT/vPvM substances can be rooted in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic Free Environment from the European Commission, as well as recent advances in the research and industrial stewardship. Key to closing these gaps are: (i) advancing remediation and removal strategies for PMT/vPvM substances that are already in the environment, however this is not an effective long-term strategy; (ii) clear and harmonized definitions of PMT/vPvM substances across diverse European and international legislations; (iii) ensuring wider availability of analytical methods and reference standards; (iv) addressing data gaps related to persistence, mobility and toxicity of chemical substances, particularly transformation products and those within complex substance mixtures; and (v) advancing monitoring and risk assessment tools for stewardship and regulatory compliance. The two most effective ways to get in control were identified to be source control through risk governance efforts, and enhancing market incentives for alternatives to PMT/vPvM substances by using safe and sustainable by design strategies.

Background: Safe and clean drinking water is essential for human life. Persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) substances and/or very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances are an important group of substances for which additional measures to protect water resources may be needed to avoid negative environmental and human health effects. PMT/vPvM substances do not sufficiently biodegrade in the environment, they can travel long distances with water and are toxic (those that are PMT substances) to the environment and/or human health. PMT/vPvM substance research and regulation is arguably in its infancy and in order to get in control of these substances the following (non-exhaustive list of) knowledge gaps should to be addressed: environmental occurrence; the suitability of currently available analytical methods; the effectiveness and availability of treatment technologies; the ability of regional governance and industrial stewardship to contribute to safe drinking water while supporting innovation; the ways in which policies and regulations can be used most effectively to govern these substances; and, the identification of safe and sustainable alternatives. Methods: The work is the outcome of the third PMT workshop, held in March 2021, that brought together diverse scientists, regulators, NGOs, and representatives from the water sector and the chemical sector, all concerned with protecting the quality of our water resources. The online workshop was attended by over 700 people. The knowledge gaps above were discussed in the presentations given and the attendees were invited to provide their opinions about knowledge gaps related to PMT/vPvM substance research and regulation. Results: Strategies to closing the knowledge, technical and practical gaps to get in control of PMT/vPvM substances can be rooted in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic Free Environment from the European Commission, as well as recent advances in the research and industrial stewardship. Key to closing these gaps are: (i) advancing remediation and removal strategies for PMT/vPvM substances that are already in the environment, however this is not an effective long-term strategy; (ii) clear and harmonized definitions of PMT/vPvM substances across diverse European and international legislations; (iii) ensuring wider availability of analytical methods and reference standards; (iv) addressing data gaps related to persistence, mobility and toxicity of chemical substances, particularly transformation products and those within complex substance mixtures; and (v) advancing monitoring and risk assessment tools for stewardship and regulatory compliance. The two most effective ways to get in control were identified to be source control through risk governance efforts, and enhancing market incentives for alternatives to PMT/vPvM substances by using safe and sustainable by design strategies. ; ISSN:2190-4715 ; ISSN:2190-4707