A JRC report short-lists seven potential water pollutants to complete a first Watch List which will provide high-quality information on the concentrations of emerging or little-known pollutants across the EU. The report, first published earlier this year, also describes the procedures and criteria used to identify and rank emerging pollutants with very different uses such as prescription drugs, personal care products, and chemicals used in agriculture and industry. The list was produced in support of European environmental legislation which aims to protect the quality of European waters.

To limit the concentration of certain chemical substances in surface waters in the EU that pose a significant risk to the environment or to human health, the 2013 amendment of the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (2008/105/EC) called for a mechanism that can provide targeted, high-quality, EU-wide information on the concentrations of substances of possible concern in the aquatic environment.

This mechanism concerns emerging pollutants and other substances for which the available monitoring data are either insufficient or of insufficient quality for an EU-wide risk assessment. It foresees a Watch List of a limited number of such substances, which would be monitored across the EU for up to four years. A maximum number of 10 substances or groups of substances shall be included in the first watch list, increasing by one at each update, up to a maximum of 14 substances or groups of substances. In order to maintain monitoring costs at reasonable levels, frequent reviews of the list will ensure that substances are not monitored longer than necessary, and that those proved to be of significant risk are identified as quickly as possible.

Three compounds, the prescription drugs diclofenac, 17-Beta-estradiol (E2), and 17-Alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), had already been selected for inclusion in the list. The JRC was tasked with proposing seven further substances and analytical methods to monitor them, as addressed in the report. In drawing the list, JRC scientists focused mainly on the risk quotient, information gaps, and “emerging” pollutants. Each substance was selected based on an assessment of the exposure, hazard and risk involved, and the lack of pan-EU monitoring data.

The report proposes the following seven substances/groups of substances to complete the first Watch List:

  • Oxadiazon
  • Methiocarb
  • 2,6-ditert-butyl-4-methylphenol
  • Tri-allate
  • Imidacloprid, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Clothianidin, Acetamiprid
  • Erythromycin Clarithromycin, Azithromycin
  • 2-Ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate

The Watch List is a dynamic structure which will be regularly updated in order to better inform the determination of suitable risk reduction measures.

Source: European Commission - Joint Research Centre

https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/news/first-watch-list-emerging-water-pollutants
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