Efficiency and practicability of risk mitigation measures for biocidal products with focus on disinfectants

EFFICIENCY AND PRACTICABILITY OF RISK MITIGATION MEASURES FOR BIOCIDAL PRODUCTS WITH FOCUS ON DISINFECTANTS Efficiency and practicability of risk mitigation measures for biocidal products with focus on disinfectants / Gartiser, Stefan (Rights reserved) ( -

Abbaubarkeit und Elimination industrieller Abwässer im Kontext von "Whole effluent assessment"

The focus of this thesis is on the assessment of the degradability of indirectly discharged wastewater in municipal treatment plants and on assessing indirectly discharged effluents by coupling the Zahn-Wellens test with effect-based bioassays. With this approach persistent toxicity of an indirectly discharged effluent can be detected and attributed to the respective emission source. In the first study 8 wastewater samples from different industrial sectors were analysed according to the “Whole-Effluent Assessment“ (WEA) approach developed by OSPAR. In another study this concept has been applied with 20 wastewater samples each from paper manufacturing and metal surface treating industry. In the first study generally low to moderate ecotoxic effects of wastewater samples have been determined. One textile wastewater sample was mutagenic in the Ames test and genotoxic in the umu test. The source of these effects could not be identified. After treatment in the Zahn-Wellens test the mutagenicity in the Ames test was eliminated completely while in the umu test genotoxicity could still be observed. Another wastewater sample from chemical industry was mutagenic in the Ames test. The mutagenicity with this wastewater sample was investigated by additional chemical analysis and backtracking. A nitro-aromatic compound (2-methoxy-4-nitroaniline) used for batchwise azo dye synthesis and its transformation products are the probable cause for the mutagenic effects analysed. Testing the mother liquor from dye production confirmed that this partial wastewater stream was mutagenic in the Ames test. The wasteweater samples from paper manufacturing industry of the second study were not toxic or genotoxic in the acute Daphnia test, fish egg test and umu test. In the luminescent bacteria test, moderate toxicity was observed. Wastewater of four paper mills demonstrated elevated or high algae toxicity, which was in line with the results of the Lemna test, which mostly was less sensitive than the algae test. The colouration of the wastewater samples in the visible band did not correlate with algae toxicity and thus is not considered as its primary origin. The algae toxicity in wastewater of the respective paper factory could also not be explained with the thermomechanically produced groundwood pulp (TMP) partial stream. Presumably other raw materials such as biocides might be the source of algae toxicity. In the algae test, often flat dose–response relationships and growth promotion at higher dilution factors have been observed, indicating that several effects are overlapping. The wastewater samples from the printed circuit board and electroplating industries (all indirectly discharged) were biologically pre-treated for 7 days in the Zahn–Wellens test before ecotoxicity testing. Thus, persistent toxicity could be discriminated from non-persistent toxicity caused, e.g. by ammonium or readily biodegradable compounds. With respect to the metal concentrations, all samples were not heavily polluted. The maximum conductivity of the samples was 43,700 micro S cm -1 and indicates that salts might contribute to the overall toxicity. Half of the wastewater samples proved to be biologically well treatable in the Zahn–Wellens test with COD elimination above 80%, whilst the others were insufficiently biodegraded (COD elimination 28–74%). After the pre-treatment in the Zahn–Wellens test, wastewater samples from four companies were extremely ecotoxic especially to algae. Three wastewater samples were genotoxic in the umu test. Applying the rules for salt correction to the test results following the German Wastewater Ordinance, only a small part of toxicity could be attributed to salts. In one factory, the origin of ecotoxicity has been attributed to the organosulphide dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC) used as a water treatment chemical for metal precipitation. The assumption, based on rough calculation of input of the organosulphide into the wastewater, was confirmed in practice by testing its ecotoxicity at the corresponding dilution ratio after pre-treatment in the Zahn–Wellens test. The results show that bioassays are a suitable tool for assessing the ecotoxicological relevance of these complex organic mixtures. The combination of the Zahn–Wellens test followed by the performance of ecotoxicity tests turned out to be a cost-efficient suitable instrument for the evaluation of indirect dischargers and considers the requirements of the IPPC Directive.Der Schwerpunkt der publikationsbasierten Dissertation liegt in der Bewertung der Abbaubarkeit indirekt über kommunale Abwasserreinigungsanlagen eingeleiteter industrieller Abwasserproben. Hierzu wurde der Zahn-Wellens-Test als Standardtest zur Bestimmung der Elimination in Kläranlagen mit wirkungsbasierten Biotests gekoppelt. Mit diesem Ansatz lässt sich die persistente Toxizität indirekt eingeleiteter Abwässer bestimmen. In der ersten Studie wurden 8 Abwasserproben aus verschiedenen Industriesektoren entsprechend dem von OSPAR entwickelten „Whole-Effluent Assessment“ (WEA)-Konzept untersucht. In einer weiteren Studie wurde das Konzept am Beispiel von je 20 Abwasserproben aus der Papier- und Metallindustrie (Galvanik, Leiterplattenherstellung) angewandt. In der ersten Studie wurden insgesamt geringe Ökotoxizitäten bestimmt. Eine Textilabwasserprobe war im Ames-Test mutagen und im umu-Test gentoxisch, ohne dass die Quelle zugeordnet werden konnte. Nach der Behandlung im Zahn-Wellens-Test war die Mutagenität im Ames-Test vollständig eliminiert, während im umu-Test weiterhin Gentoxizität beobachtet wurde. Eine andere direkt eingeleitete Abwasserprobe aus der chemischen Industrie war im Ames-Test mutagen. Der mutagene Effekt wurde durch zusätzliche chemische Analyse und Zurückverfolgung („backtracking“) auf eine nitroaromatische Verbindung (2-Methoxy-4-nitroanilin) zurückgeführt, die für die chargenweise Synthese von Azofarbstoffen verwendet wird. Durch Testung der Mutterlauge aus der Farbstoffherstellung wurde bestätigt, dass dieser Abwasserteilstrom Ursache der Mutagenität im Gesamtabwasser war. Die Papierabwasserproben aus der 2. Studie waren im akuten Daphnien- und im Fischeitest sowie im umu-Test nicht toxisch bzw. gentoxisch. Im Leuchtbakterientest wurden moderate Toxizitäten beobachtet. Die Abwässer von vier Papierfabriken zeigten eine erhöhte bis hohe Algentoxizität, die mit den Ergebnissen des Lemna-Tests übereinstimmte. Dieser war aber meist weniger sensitiv als der Algentest. Die Färbung der Abwasserproben im sichtbaren Wellenlängenbereich korrelierte nicht mit der gefundenen Algentoxizität und wird daher nicht als deren ursächliche Quelle angesehen. Die Algentoxizität im Abwasser einer Papierfabrik konnte auch nicht mit einem Abwasserteilstrom aus der thermomechanischen Herstellung von Zellstoff aus Holzschliff erklärt werden. Vermutlich sind andere Hilfsstoffe wie Biozide als Quelle für die Algentoxizität verantwortlich. Im Algentest wurden oftmals flache Dosis-Wirkungskurven und eine Förderung des Algenwachstums bei höheren Verdünnungsstufen beobachtet. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass sich hier verschiedene Effekte überlagern. Die Abwasserproben aus der Herstellung von Leiterplatten und aus der galvanischen Industrie (alles Indirekteinleiter), wurden biologisch für 7 Tage im Zahn–Wellens-Test vorbehandelt und anschließend die Ökotoxizität bestimmt. So konnte die persistente Toxizität von nicht-persistenter Toxizität, die beispielsweise durch Ammonium oder leicht abbaubare Inhaltsstoffe verursacht wird, unterschieden werden. Die Schwermetallbelastung war in allen Abwasserproben gering. Die maximale Leitfähigkeit der Proben lag bei 43.700 mikro S cm -1 und weist darauf hin, dass Salze zur Gesamttoxizität beitragen könnten. Die Hälfte der Abwasserproben war im Zahn-Wellens-Test mit CSB-Eliminationen über 80% gut biologisch behandelbar, während die anderen Proben nur unzureichend biologisch abgebaut wurden (CSB-Elimination 28%–74%). Nach der Vorbehandlung im Zahn–Wellens-Test wurden im Abwasser von vier Betrieben extrem hohe Ökotoxizitäten, insbesondere gegenüber Algen bestimmt. Drei Abwasserproben erwiesen sich im umu-Test auch als gentoxisch. Bei Anwendung der in der Abwasserverordnung vorgesehenen Salzkorrektur der Ergebnisse konnte nur ein kleiner Anteil der Toxizität mit einem Salzeinfluss erklärt werden. In einer Fabrik wurde das im Abwasser als Wasserbehandlungsmittel zur Metallfällung eingesetzte Organosulfid Dimethyldithiocarbamat (DMDTC) als ursächliche Quelle der Ökotoxizität erkannt. Diese Annahme wurde durch eine überschlägige Kalkulation der Organosulfideinträge in das Abwasser sowie durch direkte Testung der Ökotoxizität des Organosulfids in einer entsprechenden Verdünnung nach Behandlung im Zahn-Wellens-Test in der Praxis bestätigt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Biotests geeignete Werkzeuge sind, um die ökotoxikologische Relevanz dieser komplexen organischen Mischungen zu beurteilen. Die Kombination des Zahn–Wellens-Tests mit der nachfolgenden Bestimmung der Ökotoxizität erwies sich als geeignetes und kosteneffizientes Instrument zur Beurteilung von Indirekteinleitern und berücksichtigt die Anforderungen der IVU-Richtlinie

An agent model for business relationships

Relationships are fundamental to all but the most impersonal forms of interaction in business. An agent aims to secure projected needs by attempting to build a set of (business) relationships with other agents. A relationship is built by exchanging private information, and is characterised by its intimacy — degree of closeness — and balance — degree of fairness. Each argumentative interaction between two agents then has two goals: to satisfy some immediate need, and to do so in a way that develops the relationship in a desired direction. An agent’s desire to develop each relationship in a particular way then places constraints on the argumentative utterances. This paper describes argumentative interaction constrained by a desire to develop such relationships.Peer Reviewe

Consumer exposure to biocides - identification of relevant sources and evaluation of possible health effects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Products containing biocides are used for a variety of purposes in the home environment. To assess potential health risks, data on products containing biocides were gathered by means of a market survey, exposures were estimated using a worst case scenario approach (screening), the hazard of the active components were evaluated, and a preliminary risk assessment was conducted.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Information on biocide-containing products was collected by on-site research, by an internet inquiry as well as research into databases and lists of active substances. Twenty active substances were selected for detailed investigation. The products containing these substances were subsequently classified by range of application; typical concentrations were derived. Potential exposures were then estimated using a worst case scenario approach according to the European Commission's Technical Guidance Document on Risk Assessment. Relevant combinations of scenarios and active substances were identified. The toxicological data for these substances were compiled in substance dossiers. For estimating risks, the margins of exposure (MOEs) were determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Numerous consumer products were found to contain biocides. However, it appeared that only a limited number of biocidal active substances or groups of biocidal active substances were being used. The lowest MOEs for dermal exposure or exposure by inhalation were obtained for the following scenarios and biocides: indoor pest control using sprays, stickers or evaporators (chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos) and spraying of disinfectants as well as cleaning of surfaces with concentrates (hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde, glutardialdehyde). The risk from aggregate exposure to individual biocides via different exposure scenarios was higher than the highest single exposure on average by a factor of three. From the 20 biocides assessed 10 had skin-sensitizing properties. The biocides isothiazolinone (mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-2H-isothiazolin-3-one, CMI/MI), glutardialdehyde, formaldehyde and chloroacetamide may be present in household products in concentrations which have induced sensitization in experimental studies.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Exposure to biocides from household products may contribute to induction of sensitization in the population. The use of biocides in consumer products should be carefully evaluated. Detailed risk assessments will become available within the framework of the EU Biocides Directive.</p

Reduction of environmental risks from the use of biocides: Environmental sound use of disinfectants, masonry preservatives and rodenticides

The research project aims at analysing the use pattern and environmental exposure pathways of biocides and to develop prospects for a sustainable use of these biocides. A package of measures was proposed and discussed among European experts in order to support to the upcoming development and harmonization processes at EU level. Further objectives were to develop appropriate indicators for controlling the efficiency of the measures and to propose options for communicating these measures to different target groups

Ecotoxicological evaluation of construction products: inter-laboratory test with DSLT and percolation test eluates in an aquatic biotest battery

BACKGROUND: A European inter-laboratory test with 29 participating laboratories investigated whether a battery of four ecotoxicological tests is suitable for assessing the environmental compatibility of construction products. For this purpose, a construction product was investigated with the dynamic surface leaching test (DIN CEN/TS 16637-2) and the percolation test (DIN CEN/TS 16637-3). The eluates were produced centrally by one laboratory and were tested by the participants using the following biotests: algae test (ISO 8692), acute daphnia test (ISO 6341), luminescent bacteria test (DIN EN ISO 11348), and fish egg test (DIN EN ISO 15088). As toxicity measures, EC₅₀ and LID values were calculated. RESULTS: Toxic effects of the eluates were detected by all four biotests. The bacteria test was by far the most sensitive, followed by the algae test and the daphnia test; the fish egg test was the least sensitive for eluates of both leaching tests. The toxicity level of the eluates was very high in the bacteria, daphnia, and algae test, with lowest ineffective dilution values of LID = 70 to LID = 13,000 and corresponding EC₅₀ values around or even below 1 volume percent. The reproducibility (approximated by interlaboratory variability) of the biotests was good (&amp;lt; 53%) to very good (&amp;lt; 20%), regardless of the toxicity level of the eluates. The reproducibility of the algae test was up to 80%, and thus still acceptable. CONCLUSION: It can be confirmed that the combination of leaching and ecotoxicity tests is suitable to characterize with sufficient reproducibility the environmental impact posed by the release of hazardous substances from construction products