Rob Collins Water Group EEA Hazardous Substances in Europe’s fresh and marine waters – An overview Report for publication – 1 st half of 2011 Rob Collins Water Group EEA

Issue of chemical use and emissions to fresh/marine waters given fresh impetus with new EQS Directive - ongoing identification of priority (hazardous) substances; Further chemicals to be classified in REACH too. Fast growing body of information To date, no single report comprehensively describes the whole issue of chemicals in water, including latest legislation, current state and (potential) impacts on biota and humans. Likely to generate interest across a range of stakeholders Integrate freshwater and coastal/marine issues Not a lengthy report – 60 pages maximum, highlight issues via selected case studies Capture expert knowledge - Multi-authorship Rationale

Document the sources, pathways, emissions and discharges of hazardous substances to Europe's fresh and marine waters. Describe the impacts upon aquatic biota and the potential for human exposure to them via water. Overview the current status of, and recent trends in, chemical pollution of Europe's fresh and marine waters using existing legislative criteria. Outline the European policy and legislation that addresses the use of HS and their release to water. Highlight a range of measures to reduce the emissions of hazardous substances to water Present tools and innovative approaches to assess the sources, levels and effects of hazardous substances, including chemical mixtures Report – Main aims Photo – Helcom, 2010

Brief review of human exposure to chemicals generally – ingestion, inhalation, direct contact. Difficulty in quantifying. Evidence for exposure and potential impacts arising But greater analysis is beyond scope of this report, so then a focus on… Potential for effects on human health via water Contamination of seafood – accounting for regulatory limits Contamination of drinking water Impacts on Human Health

– Arctic case study?

Explanation of why there are concerns – review of documented impacts on freshwater and marine ecosystems (e.g. ED’s, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, metals etc) Focus on recent studies, ‘field’ based and European – as far as possible. More to be added, e.g. chemicals from aquaculture Current text lacks any ecotoxicology terminology. Possibility to add ‘text boxes’ on background to ecotoxicology (including terms) and one on Chemical Mixtures This approach holds for the whole report. Relatively simple, accessible main body of text, together with text boxes for more detailed, technical information Impacts on Aquatic biota

Overview text to capture major sources, diffuse and point source emissions. Not intended to be a lengthy review chemical by chemical. Attempt to capture complexity of the urban environment Selected chemicals (chemical groups) to illustrate in more detail; Cadmium, Mercury, Lead, DEHP so far Potential additions; Pesticides, Endocrine Disruptors, 1,2- Dichloroethane, Others - Pharmaceuticals? All case study chemicals have been classified as Priority Substances under EQSD We have relatively good information for these few; E-PRTR maps, Atmospheric Deposition, OSPAR coastal loads LCA/MFA text boxes – here or under Smart Assessment? Sources, Pathways and Emissions

Cadmium E-PRTR releases to water EMEP – Atmospheric Deposition OSPAR – Coastal loads

Current Concentrations In fresh and marine waters, biota and sediment Various potential information sources; EEA’s Eionet database; JRC monitoring; OSPAR, HELCOM, EU Research studies, WFD RBMP’s. Some trend information

Avoid a lengthy and ‘dry’ chapter Cover the key ones – REACH, EQSD/WFD etc – Priority Substances identified – environmental quality standards set, phase out of emissions for a few. Emission Inventory required Need for consistency e.g. between REACH and EQSD Good News - IPPC has had a positive effect, some pollutant specific ones too National level responsibility to tackle non-priority substances under EQSD – will need a rigorous approach Better reporting under E-PRTR is required Policy and Legislation

Measures – EQS’s Emissions standards Taxes, Permits Product Regulation etc Source control – important message – makes economic sense Conventional wastewater treatment has a role to play – but requires energy, chemicals and produces wastes Sustainable consumption and production Measures in the urban environment – sustainable drainage Case studies/examples – e.g. Pesticides Others – e.g. domestic chemical use; drinking water protected areas

Legislation & policies Measures Risk assessment Modelling Monitoring Chemicals (Hazardous Substances) in Water EQS Emission Standards Product regulations Fiscal instruments Clean production Treatment technologies Public awareness Exposure (PEC) Hazard (PEC/PNEC) Life Cycle Impact (LCIA) Data banking Modelling tools Fate Methods Media Strategies Smart Assessment - Monitoring; Modelling; Risk Assessment

Key Messages 200 million tonnes of toxic chemicals produced annually in Europe – major contributor to global trade Documented impacts of HS on aquatic ecosystems Potential for human health impacts via water exposure Legislation in place – but reporting under WFD is weak, likewise E-PRTR, with an inventory of emissions now required soon by law Some established legislation has had positive outcomes Addressing all chemicals in water, biota and sediment is not feasible - Smart Assessment Tools needed Range of measures - highlight the importance of control at source