Projects
03: Integrative mass flow model for endocrine disruptors in Switzerland – model development, risk assessment and risk management.
Mass flow model for endocrine disruptors in Switzerland.
A mass flow model for the endocrine disruptor nonylphenol and its ethoxylates will be developed specifically for Switzerland and an exposure analysis on the basis of available data will be performed. This project will complement ideally an EU assessment of the environmental risks of chemicals produced in large quantities.
Gälli René, BMG Engineering AG, Schlieren
e-mail: rene.gaelli@bmgeng.ch
Background
The EU has developed a programme to assess the environmental risks of chemicals produced in large quantities. The risk assessment is mainly focused on the primary producer of the chemical and the production site. The significance of these assessments for Switzerland is limited since the movement and fate of relevant chemicals have not been assessed for local environments so far, and Swiss disposal practice and treatment of emissions differ from those of the EU.
Aim
The aim of this project is to develop an integrative mass flow model which will allow environmental concentrations of the endocrine disruptor nonylphenol and its ethoxylates in Switzerland to be predicted.
Initially, the model will be developed on the basis of available information regarding production, consumption/application, wastewater treatment and environmental behaviour. Using the model for specific scenarios, environmental concentrations will be predicted for different environmental compartments. Next, the predictions will be compared to available environmental data for the chemicals being studied. This comparison of predicted and measured data will allow the model to be verified, and it will subsequently be modified if necessary.
Significance
Water is one of the world’s most important resources. Whether low concentrations of a chemical (ppb and ppt) have effects on the environment and on the quality of resource water is not fully understood. The proposed project will develop a tool which can be used to predict and identify potential risks. More emphasis can be put on risk recognition and risk prevention at an early stage of the development and during the application of products. This project should contribute to scientifically based discussion of the movement and fate of chemicals in the environment and the associated risks.