Emissions of material preservatives into the environment – realistic estimation of environmental risks through the improved characterisation of the leaching of biocides from treated materials used outdoors

This report supports the implementation of European regulations on biocidal products for the product types 7, 9 and 10. Emission of active substances from material preservatives into environmental compartments can occur due precipitation. Risk characterisations have to be based on estimations of environmental concentrations of target substances leached from material preservatives. Harmonised test procedures are required to predict environmental impact due to leaching. Seventeen treated articles, mainly paints, but also a textile, sealing tapes and sealing masses were investigated by intermittent contact to water to prove suitability of the proposed laboratory and field test procedure.