scholarly journals Persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances pose an equivalent level of concern to persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances under REACH

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Hale ◽  
Hans Peter H. Arp ◽  
Ivo Schliebner ◽  
Michael Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Regulatory Decision ◽  
Drinking Water Resources ◽  
Trade Name ◽  
Chemicals Regulation ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
High Concern ◽  
Level Of Concern

Abstract Background Under the EU chemicals regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals EC 1907/2006), registrants are not obliged to provide information related to intrinsic substance properties for substances that pose a threat to the drinking water resources. In 2019, perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)-propanoic acid (HFPO-DA trade name GenX) were demonstrated to have an equivalent level of concern (ELoC) to persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (PBT/vPvB) substances owing to their persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) substance properties and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substance properties, respectively. They were both subsequently identified as substances of very high concern (SVHC) applying Article 57(f) in REACH. This work follows up on this regulatory decision by presenting a science based, conceptual level comparison that all PMT/vPvM substances pose an ELoC to PBT/vPvB substances. Using the two cases named above, as well as 1,4-dioxane, 16 categories were developed to evaluate a) serious effects on human health, b) serious effects on the environment and c) additional effects. 1,4-dioxane has recently been proposed to be classified as Carcinogenic 1B by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC). The aim was to enable an objective and scientifically justified conclusion that these classes of substances have an equivalent level of concern for the environment and human health. Results In all of the categories related to human health, the environment and other effects, the PMT/vPvM case study substances exhibited comparable effects to PBT/vPvB substances. A difference in the human and environmental exposure pathways of PMT/vPvM and PBT/vPvB substances exists as they vary temporally and spatially. However, effects and impacts are similar, with PMT/vPvM substances potentially accumulating in (semi-)closed drinking water cycles and pristine aquatic environments, and PBT/vPvB substances accumulating in humans and the food chain. Both PMT/vPvM and PBT/vPvB substances share the common difficulty that long term and long-range transport and risk of exposure is very difficult to determine in advance and with sufficient accuracy. Conclusion The registration process of substances under REACH should reflect that PMT/vPvM substances pose an equivalent level of concern to PBT/vPvB substances.

scholarly journals Technologies Developing in Heavy Metals’ Removal from Water

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 860
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Simeonidis ◽  
Manassis Mitrakas
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Urban Wastewater ◽  
Heavy Metals Removal ◽  
Metals Removal ◽  
Drinking Water Resources

Elevated concentrations of heavy metals in drinking water resources and industrial or urban wastewater pose a serious threat to human health and the equilibrium of ecosystems [...]

scholarly journals The Groundwater Geochemistry and the Human Health Risk Assessment of Drinking Water in an Area with a High Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu), Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
W. S. M. Botheju ◽  
J. A. Liyanage ◽  
S. D. P. Kannangara
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Water Hardness ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Reference Area ◽  
The People

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) has become an alarming health issue in Sri Lanka. The disease is more notable among farming communities and people who consume groundwater as their main source of drinking water. To assess the possible links between drinking water chemistry and expansion of CKDu, the study was compared with hydrogeochemical data of drinking water sources in a CKDu prevalent area (Girandurukotte GND, Badulla District) and a reference area (Dambethalawa GND, Ampara District) in Sri Lanka. Based on the results, nephrotoxic heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Pb, and As) concentrations were significantly higher in the CKDu prevalent site than the reference area, compromised the harmful consequences to the people in the CKDu hotspot. Results of the inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation tool indicated the nephrotoxic heavy metals contents including Cd, Pb, As, and Cr in CKDu hotspot were changed in the ranges of 9.78–187.25 μg/L, 0.08–0.66 μg/L, 20.76–103.30 μg/L, and 0.03–0.34 μg/L. The random distribution patterns were shown by the result in Moran’s index values. Noteworthy, the results have emphasized a strong association between fluoride and water hardness. The frequency of occurrence above the threshold limit of fluoride was 28% in non-CKDu water samples, while 81% in CKDu prevalent sites. The hardness values in the CKDu prevalent site indicated “moderately hard water,” while the non-CKDu area indicated the “soft water.” Furthermore, this paper quantified overall water quality and heavy metal contamination and assessed the human health risks associated with drinking water. According to the results of the water quality index, 90% of the samples in the CKDu prevalent area were classified as “poor water” and “very poor water” for drinking purposes, while 73.33% of the samples in the non-CKDu area were “good” and “excellent” for drinking usage. Calculated chronic daily intake (CDIoral) and hazard quotient (HQoral) of nephrotoxicants were higher in CKDu hotspot than the non-CKDu site. Besides, the hazard index (HI) values obtained for the CKDu prevalent area exceeding the acceptable limit (HI = 1) indicated potential health risks to the people in those areas. This study suggests that long-term exposure to nephrotoxic heavy metals, water hardness, and fluoride present in drinking water may threaten human health and affect kidney functions. Therefore, regular monitoring and better management of water supplies in CKDu prevalent areas are essential to determine the contamination load and reduce the health impacts due to excessive and long-term exposure to the nephrotoxicants.

IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF AREAS UNUSUALLY SENSITIVE TO ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE FROM A HAZARDOUS LIQUID RELEASE

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 (2) ◽  
pp. 1517-1520
Author(s):  
Christina Sames
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Sensitive Areas ◽  
Ecological Resources ◽  
Drinking Water Resources ◽  
Special Programs ◽  
The Usa

ABSTRACT The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation is required to identify areas unusually sensitive to environmental damage in the event of a hazardous liquid pipeline accident, in accordance with pipeline safety laws. Pipeline operators that can affect these “unusually sensitive areas” (USAs) must develop and follow an integrity management program to continually assess and evaluate the integrity of the pipeline through internal inspection or pressure testing and data integration and analysis. After extensive consultation and pilot testing with drinking water experts, conservation biologists, government agencies, and other stakeholders, a process has been developed to identify USAs for both drinking water and ecological resources. This process begins by designating and assessing environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs), determining which ESAs are potentially more susceptible to permanent or long-term damage from a hazardous liquid release, and finally identifying filtering criteria to determine which resources can be affected by a release and sustain permanent or long term damage. Filtering criteria for ecological resources consider areas with critically imperiled species, multispecies assemblages, and migratory waterbird concentration areas. Filtering criteria for drinking water resources consider community water supplies that rely on surface water intakes and do not have an adequate alternative source of water, and groundwater wells in aquifers that are at high risk of contamination, as determined by a specific hydrogeological classification, and do not have an adequate alternative source of water. This paper presents the results of a pilot test and technical review of the USA model, the current definition of USAs, and RSPAs goal to map these areas.

ANALYSIS OF ABDOMINAL TYPHOID INCIDENCE IN THE SOUTH REGION OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

2020 ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Zakirova J.S. ◽  
Nadirbekova R.A. ◽  
Zholdoshev S.T.
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Typhoid Fever ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
The Body ◽  
Kyrgyz Republic ◽  
Radiation Factor ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Two Generations ◽  
Immunological Deficiency

The article analyze the long-term morbidity, spread of typhoid fever in the southern regions of the Kyrgyz republic, and remains a permanent epidemic focus in the Jalal-Abad region, where against the low availability of the population to high-quality drinking water, an additional factor on the body for more than two generations and radiation factor, which we confirmed by the spread among the inhabitants of Mailuu-Suu of nosological forms of the syndrome of immunological deficiency, as a predictor of risk groups for infectious diseases, including typhoid fever.

In pursuit of sustainable water solutions in emerging regions

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura R. Brunson ◽  
Lowell W. Busenitz ◽  
David A. Sabatini ◽  
Paul Spicer
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Market Development ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Water Solutions ◽  
Enabling Environment ◽  
Cultural Assessment

While lack of access to consistent safe drinking water is estimated to affect nearly 2 billion people worldwide, many of the efforts to solve this crisis have proven to be unsustainable. This paper discusses some of the reasons for these challenges and suggests interdisciplinary practices that could be integrated from the very beginning of a water intervention to achieve long-term success. Of key importance for sustainable water implementation is an enabling environment that incorporates aspects such as funding, potential for market development, and supportive governance. While this enabling environment is acknowledged, the focus of this work is on the integration of three key areas: (i) social and cultural assessment of behavior and preferences; (ii) market-based implementation approaches that draw on this knowledge; and (iii) technology development for these markets.

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