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 international ring test funded by the German Environment Agency (UBA), 24 representative waste samples with different properties were selected, sampled, and – with one exception (galvanic sludge) – tested with bioassays. Selection criteria included the mirror entry, coverage of the List of Wastes, the quantitative relevance of the waste, waste properties, specifics regarding recycling or disposal, and questions regarding the classification of the respective waste.

For ecotoxicological characterisation, three aquatic (algal growth inhibition test, acute Daphnia test, umu genotoxicity test) and three terrestrial tests (growth inhibition test with Brassica napus, earthworm avoidance test, bacteria contact test with Arthrobacter globiformis) were performed. On the basis of a literature review, the following limit concentrations were used: a lowest ineffective dilution (LID) of 4 for the aquatic tests, and an LID of 8 for the terrestrial tests. Algae, higher plants and A. globiformis were the most sensitive test organisms. None of the waste eluates showed any indication of genotoxicity. Additional studies are required to further evaluate the sensitivity of the umu genotoxicity test. Based on the project results, recommendations were provided regarding sampling, sample preparation and ecotoxicity testing of waste.

 

Last update: August 2024