Earthworms are an important indicator of soil fertility. They aerate the soil, promote root growth, improve water absorption, produce humus and contribute to soil fertility: the new standard test method examines the impact of chemicals on individual species and the earthworm community in field trials.
A new portal on the strategic approach “Safe and Sustainable by Design” (SSbD) is online as part of the EU partnership PARC. It was created by a group of PARC partners jointly led by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment and the German Environment Agency (UBA) and bundles information, tools and teaching materials as well as invites to exchange knowledge.
ChemSelect is an online tool for assessing and comparing the sustainability of substances and mixtures. ChemSelect is primarily aimed at users of chemicals: companies that manufacture mixtures and use substances or mixtures in their products or processes.
Urease and nitrification inhibitors are chemicals used in agriculture to increase plant nitrogen utilization of fertilizers and thereby reduce ammonia, nitrate and nitrous oxide emissions. But their application comes with environmental and health risks. The German Environment Agency (UBA) therefore recommends improved regulation of these substances.
The conference “PFAS in soil – forever pollution, forever concern?” focused on soil pollution caused by PFAS. Some 150 participants from science, public institutions, industry and environmental organisations attended the conference and 200 more joined via live stream to discuss the risks, in particular for human health. More international cooperation is needed to tackle this problem effectively.
ALISE (Aligned Study for Environmental Health) is the German contribution to the European research project PARC. The study examines the exposure of children and adolescents in Germany to environmental pollutants. In PARC, data from 20 European countries is analysed to determine the chemical exposure of the population in Europe and to advise policy makers.
In December 2023, OECD published ten general principles for a sustainable management of harmful organisms (SuMaHO). It is a holistic approach that includes a prioritization and combination of available effective measures to minimize harm for humans and the environment.
The Rotterdam Convention regulates international trade with certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides. According to it, such substances may only be imported into a country if that country has been informed of the hazards in advance and has given its consent ("Prior Informed Consent"). Over 160 countries have ratified the Rotterdam Convention to date.
