This report describes a screening study of in all ninety-nine conventional and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the Nordic environment. In addition, extractable organic fluorine (EOF) was analysed. The latter can provide the amount, but not identity, of organofluorine in the samples, which in turn can be used to assess the mass balance between known and unknown PFASs. The study was initiated by the Nordic Screening Group and funded by these and the Nordic Council of Ministers through the Chemicals Group.A total of 102 samples were analyzed in this study, including bird eggs, fish, marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, surface water, WWTP effluents and sludge, and air. Samples were collected by institutes from the participating countries and self-governing areas; Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
This Tema Nord report presents a study based on open information and custom market research to review the most common perfluorinated substances (PFC) with less focus on PFOS and PFOA. The study includes three major parts:1) Identification of relevant per-and polyfluorinated substances and their use in various industrial sectors in the Nordic market by interviews with major players and database information; 2) Emissions to and occurence in the Nordic environment of the substances described in 1); 3) A summary of knowledge of the toxic effects on humans and the environment of substances prioritized in 2); There is a lack of physical chemical data, analystical reference substances, human and environmental occurrence and toxicology data, as well as market information regarding PFCs other than PFOA and PFOS and the current legislation cannot enforce disclosure of specific PFC substance information.
PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkylsubstances) are known to be extremely difficult to degrade in the environment and to be bioaccumulative and toxic. Exposure to PFAS is suspected to increase the risk of adverse health effects, such as impacts on the thyroid gland, the liver, fat metabolism and the immune system. This study estimates the socioeconomic costs that may result from impacts on human health and the environment from the use of PFAS. Better awareness of the costs and problems associated with PFAS exposure will assist decision-makers and the general public to make more efficient and timely risk management decisions. Findings indicate that the costs are substantial, with annual health-related costs estimated to 2.8 – 4.6 billion EUR for the Nordic countries and 52 – 84 billion EUR for all EEA countries. Overall non-health costs are estimated at 46 million – 11 billion EUR for the Nordic countries.Upon request the excel spreadsheets used for the monetarisation and valuation in this report can also be provided along with a guidance on how to use the estimation of costs for value transfer. Please contact any of the consultants or members of the steering group from the Swedish Chemicals Agency or the Danish Environmental Protection Agency if you are interested in receiving these excel spreadsheets.
This book serves as a timely and comprehensive overview of the latest science for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), covering the development of methods for assessing PFASs in biological fluids and tissues as well as the current knowledge regarding their toxicity to vertebrate organisms. This book includes chapters on human and wildlife exposure/body burdens, reviews of metabolism and toxicological effects by organ system/developmental stage and aspects of PFAS toxicity that are driving PFAS research and regulatory oversight. Toxicological Effects of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances provide critical assessments of the most controversial topics surrounding toxicological evaluation of PFASs to give readers an expert perspective on the issues. Emphasis is placed on the integration of modes and mechanisms of action with functional endpoints that are relevant to human and wildlife health. This book will be a useful resource for toxicologists, environmental chemists, risk assessors and researchers with an interest in the class of compounds known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Due to their unparalleled effectiveness and efficiency, polyfluorinated chemicals (PFC) have become essential in numerous technical applications. However, many PFCs brought to market show limited biodegradability, and their environmental persistence combined with toxic and bioaccumulative potential have become a matter of concern in some instances. This volume highlights the synthesis of PFCs, focusing on substances with improved application and environmental properties, which are a challenge for synthetic chemists. Further, modern mass spectrometric techniques for the detection and identification of biotransformation products of PFCs are described. The sorption and leaching behavior of PFC in soil is also addressed in order to predict their fate in the environment. Several contributions discuss the monitoring of PFCs in European surface, ground and drinking waters, treatment options for PFC removal from drinking water, occurrence in food, and the human biomonitoring of PFCs.
Mammalian Toxicology surveys chemical agents and examines how such chemicals impact on human health, emphasizing the importance in minimizing environmental exposure to chemical and physical hazards in our homes, communities and workplaces through such media as contaminated water, soil and air. Starting with the basic principles on a wide range of toxic agents, this textbook describes how they enter the body, their mechanisms of action once inside, and strategies for diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Topics covered include: General principles of toxicology: pharmacological and toxicological principles underpinning the study of toxicology, risk assessments and mechanisms of cell death Disposition: routes of chemical exposures, entry into the body and various tissues, storage, metabolic biotransformation and elimination, with examples from various toxicants. Toxic agents: the occurrences, disposition in the body, health effects, toxic mechanisms, antidotes and treatments of a range of agents including pesticides, metals, solvents, gases, nanomaterials, food components and additives, pharmaceuticals, drugs of abuse, natural toxins, endocrine disruptors, radiation, and warfare weapons. Toxic effects: including neurotoxicity, developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, teratogenecity, male and female reproductive toxicity, mutagenecity, carcinogenicity, pulmonary toxicity, cardiovascular toxicity, hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity and cardiovascular toxicity Toxicology and society: epidemiological studies of chemical-induced diseases in human populations, and a vision for toxicology in the 21st century. Mammalian Toxicology is an essential primer for students of toxicology, biochemistry, biology, medicine and chemistry. It is also appropriate for professional toxicologists in research or regulatory affairs, and anyone who needs to understand the adverse effects of toxic agents on the human body.
The anaerobic process is considered to be a sustainable technology for organic waste treatment mainly due to its lower energy consumption and production of residual solids coupled with the prospect of energy recovery from the biogas generated. However, the anaerobic process cannot be seen as providing the ‘complete’ solution as its treated effluents would typically not meet the desired discharge limits in terms of residual carbon, nutrients and pathogens. This has given impetus to subsequent post treatment in order to meet the environmental legislations and protect the receiving water bodies and environment. This book discusses anaerobic treatment from the perspective of organic wastes and wastewaters (municipal and industrial) followed by various post-treatment options for anaerobic effluent polishing and resource recovery. Coverage will also be from the perspective of future trends and thoughts on anaerobic technologies being able to support meeting the increasingly stringent disposal standards. The resource recovery angle is particularly interesting as this can arguably help achieve the circular economy. It is intended the information can be used to identify appropriate solutions for anaerobic effluent treatment and possible alternative approaches to the commonly applied post-treatment techniques. The succeeding discussion is intended to lead on to identification of opportunities for further research and development. This book can be used as a standard reference book and textbook in universities for Master and Doctoral students. The academic community relevant to the subject, namely faculty, researchers, scientists, and practicing engineers, will find the book both informative and as a useful source of successful case studies.
The aim of the project is to create knowledge on how plastics recycling can increase without increasing the risk of emitting hazardous substances to the environment.The first general conclusion is that to be able to increase recycling there are measures needed at different levels. The following areas are of interest: • Legislation: new legislation is not necessary, but harmonisation and clear guidance to the existing one is. • Market: to create a market safety on content is needed. • If substances added are less hazardous the recycled raw material would be “more safe” to use. • There should be higher attention put on the knowledge of the recyclers. • Traceability and content: Further work on labelling reaching the recycle part of the value chain needs to be developed. It is also needed to develop a systematic approach towards risk assessments linked to recycling.
Municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal is an ever-increasing problem in many parts of the world, especially in developing countries. To date, landfilling is still the preferred option for the disposal and management of MSW due to its low-cost operation. While this solution is advantageous from a cost perspective, it introduces a high level of potential pollutants which can be detrimental to the local environment. Control and Treatment of Landfill Leachate for Sanitary Waste Disposal presents research-based insights and solutions for the proper management and treatment of landfill leachate. Highlighting relevant topics on emerging technologies and treatment innovations for minimizing the environmental hazards of waste disposal, this innovative publication contributes to filling in many of the gaps that exist in the current literature available on leachate treatment. Waste authorities, solid waste management companies, landfill operators, legislators, environmentalists, graduate students, and researchers will find this publication beneficial to their professional and academic interests in the area of waste treatment and management.
