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Ecotoxicological joint effects of mixtures – relevance and appropriate consideration in the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products and biocides

The aim of this project was to assess the relevance of joint effects related to plant protection products and biocidal products. Based on a general analysis of the concepts of mixture toxicity and their application, as well as a detailed analysis of the current environmental risk assessment schemes and their limitations, options were developed for […]

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Potential substances of very high concern based on environmental protection criteria of the REACH regulation: Verification by substance properties and prioritisation by relevance criteria

The REACH Regulation No. 1907/2006 introduced the concept of substances of very high concern (SHVC; Art. 57) for the control of risks to human health and the environment. In this project, the focus was on environmental concerns according to Art. 57(d) to 57(f): • Persistent, bioaccumulating and toxic substances (PBT; Art. 57(d)) • Very persistent and […]

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Development of ecotoxicological tests with biocides and eluates: verification of the suitability of the embryo test with the zebrafish (Danio rerio, DarT)

The project explored the suitability of the fish embryo toxicity test with the zebrafish, Danio rerio, (DarT) as a tool to screen for additive and non-additive effects among biocidal substances. Five biocidal products from the product type 8 (curative and preventive wood preservatives) and their individual active substances were tested in the DarT. Overall, the […]

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Review and enhancement of new risk assessment concepts under REACH

Within REACH, it is possible to waive standard tests that would be required for a chemical, if the available information from other tests and / or non-testing information (e.g. QSARs, grouping, read across) is considered sufficient to draw a reliable conclusion on the endpoint of concern. This concept is described as non-testing approach in the […]

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Determination and analysis of the soil quality in the context of the implementation and further development of the National Strategy on Biodiversity

The aim of this project was the improvement of the preconditions for the protection of the habitat function of soil as described in § 2 of the German Federal Soil Protection Act (1998), in particular in two ways: first, suitable biological indicators (i.e. organism groups) for the assessment of soil quality had to be identified. […]

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Identification of wastes hazardous to the environment in mirror entries

The ecotoxicological characterisation of waste according to the European List of Wastes (Decision 2000/532/EC) is part of the assessment as hazardous or non-hazardous. So far, guidance is lacking regarding the evaluation of the hazard property ‘ecotoxic’ (HP 14; formerly H 14) using biotests. Based on the recommendations of EN 14735 and experiences made in an […]

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Investigation of sublethal endpoints in dung organisms as a prerequisite for the implementation of terrestrial ecotoxicological studies within the environmental risk assessment of veterinary pharmaceuticals

The aims of this project were the compilation and publication of the results of workshops with international dung fauna experts (Aveiro group) and the further improvement of existing laboratory tests with dung beetles and dung flies. Two publications were prepared: first, recommendations for the preparation, performance and assessment of field studies with dung organisms, and […]

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Examination of soil values with regard to protection of soil organisms and validation of soil assessment methods

On the basis of ecotoxicological tests performed with soil organisms, recommendations for precautionary values were given for 16 metals and 10 organics. In the case of three substances (antimony, beryllium, vanadium), the amount of data was not sufficient for such a derivation, while for arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, nickel, mercury, selenium, thallium, […]

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Environmental risk assessment of veterinary medicines: Are there data gaps and how can the new legal requirement be met?

The most likely entry pathways of veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) into the environment are via slurry or manure from intensively reared animals to soil, and via dung or urine from animals grazing on pasture. Surface water may be contaminated via run-off or leaching and drainage, or  by direct excretion of pasture animals into water. According […]

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Relevance of endocrine disrupting substances and pharmaceuticals for surface waters – Reassessment of occurrence, development of concepts for monitoring and measures to reduce entry into surface waters

The aim of the project was to evaluate the environmental relevance of potential endocrine disrupters in surface waters by comparing measured concentrations of the respective substances to newly proposed environmental quality standards (EQS). As a key action of the  European Commission’s strategy for endocrine disrupting chemicals, 564 potential endocrine disrupters had been listed. Further 88 […]

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