biocide

Since an EU workshop on non-chemical alternatives in rodent control in 2018, a working party has developed a draft guidance on the assessment of efficacy and animal welfare impact of traps. The guidance was presented in a second EU workshop and published on this website, besides background information on the European workshops and the follow-up activities.

Biocidal products must be used wisely to avoid harming humans and the environment. UBA has compiled a set of measures how to achieve that goal.

Biocides are substances and products which are used to combat pests such as insects, mice and rats but also algae, fungi or bacteria. Biocides are used in many areas of private and work life, for example as antibacterial cleaning agents and disinfectants, wood preservatives or as bug spray and ant killer.

Products used in construction contain many organic and inorganic substances. If they are released into the indoor air of buildings, or into the soil and groundwater, they can pose a risk to the environment and human health. Sofar these inputs of contaminants from building products have been quantified only sporadically.