Hazardous substances

Man-made synthetic hazardous substances like phthalates and perfluorinated compounds do not occur naturally and therefore become pollutants when released into the environment. These enter aquatic ecosystems through e.g. wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which are not designed to remove hazardous substances.

In addition to discharges from factories and enterprises producing or using these substances, the release of hazardous substances to WWTP comes from the daily use of consumer products e.g. plastic products (PVC), non-stick pans, ski waxes, flame retardants in electrical devices, etc. Some hazardous substances bio-accumulate in the food chain and may finally end up on our dinner plate.

In WaterChain project we focused on four groups of hazardous substances that are described in more detail below. At the EU level, these compounds have been recognized as a serious threat:

Perfluorinated compounds (PFOA, PFOS) are in the list of Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) Directive 39/2013/EU, and are pointed as Baltic Sea Action Plan priority substances
Pharmaceuticals are in the watchlist, according to EQS Directive 39/2013/EU
Phthalates (DEHP) that are used for making plastics soft, flexible and more difficult to break are in the list of EQS Directive 39/2013/EU
23 pesticides are pointed in the list of EQS Directive 39/2013/EU, the total list including 45 substances.

Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) Directive 39/2013/EU
Baltic Sea Action Plan priority substances

Perfluorinated compounds

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) can be found in non-stick cookware, fabric, furniture and carpet stain protection applications, food packaging, fire-fighting foams, air traffic, motor vehicles, building and construction, and in electronics. The major subgroups of PFCs are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

PFCs can be released into the environment when products are made, used, or discarded. Since molecules of these chemicals are very stable, PFCs can be regarded as persistent organic pollutants.

Humans are mainly exposed to small amounts of PFCs from food, drinking water and migration from consumer products containing these chemicals (e.g. food packaging and clothes). In industrialized countries, PFCs have been found in almost every citizen’s blood. Health disorders like altered hormone levels, cancer and delays in physical development, have been reported.

Find out how to protect yourself and the environment from the effects of PFCs.

Pharmaceuticals

A global increase in medicine production and consumption has increased the load of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Medicines enter the environment through sewage treatment plants, hospitals, and the effluents of livestock farms. Pharmaceutical production facilities with inadequate sewege treament are also a risk.

Components of various medicines have been detected in lakes, rivers, seas and groundwater. Hazardous effects include: disturbances of aquatic organisms’ reproductive systems, growth and behaviour. Little is known about low concentration exposure over a longer period of time, due to the cost and complexity of such studies.

Attention should be paid especially to these active pharmaceutical ingredients: metformin, hormonal medication used for birth control, ibuprofen and diclofenac.

Find out how to protect yourself and the environment from the effects of medical residues.

Plastics

Every year over 8 million tons of plastics end up in oceans, and break down into smaller particles – microplastics, which enter the food chain. In addition to plastic litter, microplastics may originate from e.g. traffic, textiles, industry, and cosmetic products.

Most plastics contain additives: fillers, plasticizers (phthalates), and colorants, which leach into the environment. In the water, plastic particles act as a sponge – accumulating and storing other pollutants on them.

The number of animal deaths, caused by ingesting plastic particles or getting entangled, is increasing. Humans can be exposed to chemicals in plastics by consuming food from plastic packagings or
eating seafood polluted with microplastics.

PHTHALATES
Used for making plastics soft, flexible, and more difficult to break. Found in vinyl flooring, clothes, the coating on cables, shower curtains, soaps, shampoos, and nail polishes. Studies have linked phthalates to breast cancer, obesity, preterm birth, intellectual development issues, allergies, diabetes, and hormone disruptions.

BISPHENOL A (BPA)
Found in water bottles, sales receipts, and in the interior coating of tins. Studies link to obesity, thyroid dysfunction, higher risk of cancer, and asthma. In 2017 The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recognized BPA as a substance of very high concern due to its endocrine disrupting properties.

Find out how to protect yourself and the environment from the effects of plastics.

Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals used for destroying weeds, insects, fungal diseases, and rodents. Chemical pesticides contain active substances, carrier agents, and in many cases, additives, which support the effectiveness of pesticides.

An estimated 2 million tons of pesticides are used in the world annually. The largest consumer is Europe, followed by the United States.

THE GENERAL TREND IN THE WORLD IS TOWARDS INCREASED USE OF PESTICIDES, BOTH IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME GARDENS.

Pesticides may deteriorate a farmer’s health, and contaminate food and soil. Over time, chemicals accumulate in organisms, including people. Prohibited pesticides can remain in the environment for a long time (e.g. DDT and trifluralin). Studies have shown a possible link between pesticide exposure and honeybee colony collapse disorder.

Find out how to protect yourself and the environment from the effects of pesticides.