Newsletter "UBA aktuell" - No.: 3/2018 | Umweltbundesamt

Keeping our waters clean: recommendations for the prevention of micropollutants

Sophisticated analytical methods show: Our water can contain various micropollutants. Source: Vasily Merkushev / Fotolia.com

Whether for bathing purposes, for the production of drinking water or as a diverse biotope: clean waters are important for the environment, our health and our quality of life. However, they also contain many of the chemicals which we use in our daily lives, such as anti-algae agents that are washed off with the coatings on boat hulls, plant protection agents used on nearby agricultural fields and residues of medicinal products which have either been disposed of improperly in the toilet or find their way into the waste water after their consumption and are not fully removed by the current water treatment plants. Once in the environment, substances of this kind can be a problem, even at the nano- or microgram level: they can harm fish and other aquatic species, and drinking water treatment can become more time-consuming and expensive. Those are good enough reasons to take a closer look at the substances that damage our environment and how this can be avoided.

The UBA has presented a comprehensive set of recommendations against micropollutants of this kind in a background paper. The requirements for the approval of medicinal products should become stringent, organic farming should be broadened, and a fourth treatment level should be introduced at large wastewater treatment plants. In addition to this, the manufacturers (of medicinal products, for example) should make environmental data for the constituents of their products available.

The UBA paper shows: a combination of measures at the source, during the use and during the disposal is required in order to prevent and reduce the entry of micropollutants into waters on an effective and cost-efficient basis. According to the estimates of the UBA, a further treatment level at large water treatment plants – as part of a package of measures – could be implemented in Germany at an average cost of 16 Euros per person, per year. An investment in the future which could also be of financial benefit: because the entry of substances today can lead to the contaminated sites of tomorrow – at a high cost.

The English version of the background paper is expected to be published by August 2018. 

Germany's bathing waters are clean machines

98 per cent of the bathing waters in Germany fulfil the quality requirements of the European Bathing Water Directive, and 91 per cent even earn the highest rating 'excellent'. These are the data on the 2017 water quality of bathing waters which were published by the EU Commission on 29 May. read more (in German)

CO2 emissions per kilowatt hour of electricity continue to fall

Over the past year, CO2 emissions per kilowatt hour of electricity consumed in Germany continued to fall – among other factors, due to the growing share of renewable energies in the electrical energy mix. While one kilowatt hour of electricity was responsible for 528 grams of CO2 in 2015, according to the preliminary data, the UBA estimates the figure for 2016 to be 516 grams. According to the forecasts, the estimated figure for 2017 is 489 grams. read more (in German)

Urban environmental protection for environmentally-oriented urban development

The use of energy and resources, transport, noise, air pollution: cities and urban areas are also major areas of environmental damage. As centres of knowledge and innovation, they also offer considerable potential for environmental protection, however. The UBA research agenda on “urban environmental protection” focuses on the intersection between urban development and environmental protection. read more (in German

New EU project on gender equality in research

On 17/18 May 2018, the starting shot was fired for a three-year project in which the UBA has the role of partner. The project, which is being funded by the European Union, aims to advance gender equality in both research institutions and research funding. It also has the goal of strengthening the sharing of knowledge and mutual learning. read more (in German)

New UMID: More pollen allergies due to climate change?

In the course of climate change, it is highly likely that pollen counts and the number of allergies triggered by pollen will increase. The 01/2018 issue of the publication UMID highlights the contexts and discusses activities from the areas of monitoring, control and information. Additional topics: thermal action plans, the use of optical radiation in cosmetics, PCB pollution. read more (in German)

Nitrogen oxide emissions from inland vessels

The air quality limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is exceeded in many cities. This is largely due to diesel-powered cars, which account for some 72.5 percent of NO2 emissions in the area of urban traffic. Vessels on inland waterways are also responsible for high levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Despite this, they do not have a clear impact on the high level of NO2 pollution in inner city areas in Germany. read more (in German)

How many pollutants are released by businesses? New data for 2016

Ammonia is the number one airborne pollutant to be released by businesses, and primarily originates from factory farming. Pollutants in waste water primarily originate from the foodstuffs and chemicals industries. The biggest polluter of CO2 is the energy industry. This and more is shown by the current data from the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register. read more (in German)

Conference on more sustainable cloud services and computing centres

The digital revolution is leading to increases in efficiency in the economy, but also increasing the demand for energy, materials and raw materials. The German Environment Agency, the Federal Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the state of Hesse invite participants from the worlds of business and politics and associations to discuss the ways in which cloud services and data processing centres can become more energy-efficient and resource-sparing. read more (in German)

Practical tests on new train air conditioning systems with cold air

The air conditioning systems in trains make train travel more comfortable. Until now, most train air conditioning systems have used fluorinated refrigerants which are greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Air conditioning systems that use air represent an alternative. Optimised air conditioning systems that use cold air have been tested on an inter-city ICE train. The project was accompanied by the UBA. read more (in German)

Project ideas for supporting bicycle travel sought

To achieve the goals of the German National Bicycle Travel Plan (NRVP), this year, projects are once again being sought which help to advance bicycle travel in Germany with the use of innovative ideas. Municipalities, associations, universities, businesses and others can submit their ideas until 01.08.2018. read more (in German)

New waste management in Europe

The EU has passed several amendments to the guidelines on the prevention, recycling and disposal of waste in the EU. Plenty of things are going in the right direction: more recycling, more use, but there are also weak points. The UBA assesses the changes. read more (in German)

UBA welcomes ban on neonicotinoids for outdoor use

Three very effective insecticide have been prohibited for outdoor use. This was decided by the EU member states in Brussels on 27.04.2018. The UBA welcomes this decision. The risks presented to biodiversity by the agents were previously confirmed in February by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). read more (in German)

“Geht doch!” the 2nd German Conference on Pedestrian Traffic (FUKO 2018)

On 11/12 October 2018, the UBA and further partners are inviting guests to FUKO 2018 in Berlin. The focus is on the latest developments and concepts to encourage walking. The free event is oriented to representatives from municipalities, town planners, the worlds of politics and science, and institutions. read more (in German)

A window on our soil – an earthwork shows us his home

How can children discover the world of soil in a fun way? The unique “BODENFENSTER – Wohnungsbesichtigung bei Regenwurm und Co” (A window on our soil – an earthwork shows us his home) training event gives practical ideas to nursery and primary school teachers. Taking part is free. read more (in German)