Possible underestimations of risks for the environment due to unregulated emissions of biocides from households to wastewater. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wieck, Stefanie; Olsson, Oliver; Kümmerer, Klaus
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 94(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 695
• Page End: 705
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: BAS biocidal active substance -- BP biocidal products -- ERA environmental risk assessment -- BPR EU Biocidal Products Regulation 528/2012 -- PCP personal care products -- PPP plant protection products -- PT product type -- STP sewage treatment plants -- WCA washing and cleaning agents; Biocides -- Sustainable chemistry -- Product inventory -- Personal care products -- Washing and cleaning agents -- Wastewater; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.07.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of household products as possible sources of biocidal active substances in municipal wastewater and their regulation under the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012. In 131 households, we investigated the prevalence of products used to control pests, washing and cleaning agents and select personal care products with high release to wastewater. Inventories of these products were established with the help of barcode scanning. All uses of biocidal active substances were evaluated regarding their assessment under the Biocidal Products Regulation. 2963 products were scanned in total, with 48% being washing and cleaning agents, 43% personal care products and 9% products used to control pests. Biocidal active substances were found in each household. These were observed primarily in washing and cleaning agents and personal care products (90%), while only a small percentage of the observations of biocidal active substances was in biocidal products. 64% of the observations of biocidal active substances were in applications that do not fall under the Biocidal Products Regulation and are thus not subject to its environmental risk assessment. This study shows clearly that risks for the environment are underestimated because unregulated emissions to wastewater occur. It demonstrates that there are gaps in the current chemical legislation that lead to a release of substances into wastewater that were not subject to environmental risk assessment under the Biocidal Products Regulation. This is one example of the limitations of scientific risk assessment of chemicals – its complexity is immense. From our point of view, the results underline the importance of a sustainable use of the substances as this is the only way to decrease yet unidentified risks. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Product inventories were established for 131 households in 3 neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods were situated in 3 regions of different urban–rural typologies. Inventories include biocidal products, cosmetics and washing/cleaning agents. Biocidal substances were found mainly in cosmetics and washing/cleaning agents. EU Biocidal Products Regulation only covers 36% of these observed uses of biocides.