Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Waste | Resources, Agriculture, Water

Environmentally friendly handling techniques of fertilisers in ports

The study examines fertiliser loading in German ports and its potential impact on the environment. The aim of this study is to examine the loading of fertiliser in Germany's ports with regard to a possible environmentally hazardous discharge of fertiliser into water bodies, to identify the best available technology or the best available environmental practice, and subsequently to develop practicab...read more

Chemicals, Health, Water

Literature review and assessment of available toxicological data for PFAS

In the present study, a search was carried out on the current toxicological and epidemiological data on 20 perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS, C4-C13 carboxylic and sulfonic acids) regulated in the Drinking Water Ordinance as well as 4 substitutes (GenX, ADONA, 6:2 FTSA, C604). The aim was to prepare this data as a basis for the toxicological assessment of the substances with regard to their oc...read more

Climate | Energy, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Qualitative and quantitative modelling of the efficacy of policy instruments

Opportunities and limitations for applicability to the field of climate change adaptation

This study presents the results of a comprehensive research of qualitative and quantitative modelling approaches to analyse the efficacy of policy instruments for complex problems and including social aspects. In addition to reviewing existing modelling approaches (e.g. System Dynamics and Agent-based Modelling), this study addresses the opportunities and limitations of applying the findings to th...read more

Soil | Land, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Land use monitoring and land take in international comparison

Methods and data

The high land take rate is a problem throughout Europe. The EU demands that land take will be reduced to net zero until the year 2050 (no net land take target). However, land take in Europe is recorded at national level using different methods. Depending on whether the surveys are based on aerial photo data or cadastral data, the results differ significantly in some cases. In a research project by...read more

Chemikalien

Consideration of disinfection by-products in the environmental risk assessment of biocidal products

Inventory & development of recommendations for the assessment

The project compiled data on disinfection by-products (DBPs) as well as biocidal active substances from product types (PTs) 1-5, 11 and 12. DBP formation potential of each active ingredient was evaluated. In a modeling approach, distribution of selected DBPs and biocidal active substances for applications in solution and on surfaces was estimated. The formation of approximately 60 DBPs was investi...read more

Waste | Resources

Tailings Management Facilities (TMF) Safety Methodology

The Tailings Management Facility (TMF) Safety Methodology is mainly based on the requirements and principles declared in “Safety guidelines and good practices for tailings management facilities” endorsed by the Conference of the Parties to the UNECE Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents as well as other comparable international TMF standards. The TMF Safety Methodology is...read more

Chemicals, Water

A prioritization framework for PMT/vPvM Substances under REACH for registrants, regulators, researchers and the water sector

PFAS only the tip of the iceberg: Each water sample was contaminated with mobile forever chemicals such as TFA, PFPrA or TFMS. But also 26 of the 34 non-fluorinated PMT/vPvM substances analysed were detected, including 1H benzotriazole, 1,4-dioxane, melamine, cyanuric acid and diphenyl guanidine. A representative survey of 27 water laboratories in Germany (twelve commercial laboratories, eleven la...read more

Chemicals, Water

Prioritised PMT/vPvM substances in the REACH registration database

Protecting the aquatic environment from chemicals for future generations: The UBA list of 259 PMT/vPvM substances (based on the new ⁠CLP⁠ criteria) in the ⁠REACH⁠ registration database that are hazardous to our drinking water resources and must not be emitted into the environment. Registrants and downstream users (DSUs) can act immediately to minimise emissions througho...read more