Screening Programme 2023

The 2023 Screening Programme aimed to investigate the presence of emerging environmental concerning substances 1) at so-called “hot spot” locations, and 2) in marine top predators. Part 1 covered emerging substances that were considered for EU regulation; persistent, mobile and toxic; identified as problematic (Sweden); and UV-stabilizers. Sampling sites were a wastewater treatment plant, indoor dust, agricultural soils, and consumer products. Part 2 covered substances found in the 2021 Screening Programme as well as selected through the LIfeAPEX project. Additionally, in part 2, several classical legacy contaminants were included. A unique sample set was assembled with different types of tissue from whales (killer whale, sperm whale, fin whale, humpback whale, white beaked dolphin, and harbor porpoise) and sharks (greenland shark, porbeagle shark, and spiny dogfish). Highlights from the results in part 1 covered a high detection frequency and concentrations of one phthalate (CAS 6422-86-2) and two UV-stabilizers (CAS 154702-15-5 and 103597-45-1). In part 2, only a small number of the emerging substances were identified, while many of the legacy substances were found at high levels.