Publikasjoner

PLASTCYCLE: Optimizing Resource Efficiency while minimizing recycling of hazardous chemicals under Circular Economy

FAIRMODE Guidance Document on Modelling Quality Objectives and Benchmarking. Version 3.3.

The development of the procedure for air quality model benchmarking in the context of the Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC (AQD) has been an on-going activity in the context of the FAIRMODE community, chaired by the JRC. A central part of the studies was the definition of proper modelling quality indicators and criteria to be fulfilled in order to allow sufficient level of quality for a given model application under the AQD. The focus initially on applications related to air quality assessment has gradually been expanded to other applications, such as forecasting and planning. The main purpose of this Guidance Document is to explain and summarise the current concepts of the modelling quality objective methodology, elaborated in various papers and documents in the FAIRMODE community, addressing model applications for air quality assessment and forecast. Other goals of the Document are linked to presentation and explanation of templates for harmonised reporting of modelling results. Giving an overview of still open issues in the implementation of the presented methodology, the document aims at triggering further research and discussions. A core set of statistical indicators is defined using pairs of measurement-modelled data. The core set is the basis for the definition of a modelling quality indicator (MQI) and additional modelling performance indicators (MPI), which take into account the measurement uncertainty. The MQI describes the discrepancy between measurements and modelling results (linked to RMSE), normalised by measurement uncertainty and a scaling factor. The modelling quality objective (MQO) requires MQI to be less than or equal to 1. With an arbitrary selection of the scaling factor of 2, the fulfilment of the MQO means that the allowed deviation between modelled and measured concentrations is twice the measurement uncertainty. Expressions for the MQI calculation based on time series and yearly data are introduced. MPI refer to aspects of correlation, bias and standard deviation, applied to both the spatial and temporal dimensions. Similarly to the MQO for the MQI, modelling performance criteria (MPC) are defined for the MPI; they are necessary, but not sufficient criteria to determine whether the MQO is fulfilled. The MQO is required to be fulfilled at 90% of the stations, a criterion which is implicitly taken into account in the derivation of the MQI. The associated modelling uncertainty is formulated, showing that in case of MQO fulfilment the modelling uncertainty must not exceed 1.75 times the measurement one (with the scaling factor fixed to 2). A reporting template is presented and explained for hourly and yearly average data. In both cases there is a diagram and a table with summary statistics. In a separate section open issues are discussed and an overview of related publications and tools is provided. Finally, a chapter on modelling quality objectives for forecast models is introduced. In Annex 1, we discuss the measurement uncertainty which is expressed in terms of concentration and its associated uncertainty. The methodology for estimating the measurement uncertainty is overviewed and the parameters for its calculation for PM, NO2 and O3 are provided. An expression for the associated modelling uncertainty is also given. This aim of this document is to support modelling groups, local, regional and national authorities in their modelling application, in the context of air quality policy.

Publications Office for the European Union

Best practices for local and regional air quality management. Version 1.

FAIRMODE is the Forum for Air Quality Modeling created for exchanging experience and results from air quality modeling in the context of the Air Quality Directives (AQD) and for promoting the use of modeling for air quality assessment and management. FAIRMODE is organized in different activities and task, called cross-cutting tasks, to which representative of Member States and experts participate. Among the different activities, one is devoted to Air Quality management practices, called cross-cutting task 5 (CT5). This report is indeed based on the last activities of the FAIRMODE Cross Cutting Task 5 (CT5), focusing, in particular, on elaborating recommendations to support local, regional and national authorities in the use of modelling for the development of air quality plans, defining on how to quantify emission changes associated to a set of measures, and quantifying their impacts in terms of concentration (using an ‘impact pathway approach’ from ‘abatement measure’ to ‘emissions’ to ‘concentrations’). This is done on one side taking advantage of the results already produced by previous FAIRMODE working groups and in coordination with existing activities under other FAIRMODE CTs. On the other side, examples of best practice policies are presented, focusing on Low emission zones: with an example on Antwerp and Copenhagen, Measures on non-exhaust traffic to reduce PM, with an application on Stockholm. How to reduce ozone concentrations, with a focus on local to global contributions. How to build an air quality plan in an integrated way, with an application on Italy. How to evaluate the socio-economic impact of measures, focusing on a case study on UK. The results show how different pollutants should be tackled differently, the importance of integration among different sectoral plans (on emissions, greenhouse gases mitigation, …) and also how other dimensions of the problem (i.e. social aspects) should be considered when building air quality plans.

Publications Office for the European Union

The role of oceanographic processes on the deposition of microfibers an Arctic fjord (Adventfjorden, Svalbard)

Plastics as a carrier of chemical additives to the Arctic: Possibilities for strategic monitoring across the circumpolar North

A Systematic Review of plastic analytical protocols and Reproducible Analytical Pipelines

Risk assessment of consumer spray products using in vitro lung surfactant function inhibition, exposure modelling and chemical analysis

Consumer spray products release aerosols that can potentially be inhaled and reach the deep parts of the lungs. A thin layer of liquid, containing a mixture of proteins and lipids known as lung surfactant, coats the alveoli. Inhibition of lung surfactant function can lead to acute loss of lung function. We focused on two groups of spray products; 8 cleaning and 13 impregnation products, and in the context of risk assessment, used an in vitro method for assessing inhibition of lung surfactant function. Original spray-cans were used to generate aerosols to measure aerodynamic particle size distribution. We recreated a real-life exposure scenario to estimate the alveolar deposited dose. Most impregnation products inhibited lung surfactant function at the lowest aerosolization rate, whereas only two cleaning products inhibited function at the highest rates. We used inhibitory dose and estimated alveolar deposition to calculate the margin of safety (MoS). The MoS for the inhibitory products was ≤1 for the impregnation products, while much larger for the cleaning products (>880). This risk assessment focused on the risk of lung surfactant function disruption and provides knowledge on an endpoint of lung toxicity that is not investigated by the currently available OECD test guidelines.

Revidert tiltaksutredning for lokal luftkvalitet i Bergen

Tiltaksutredningen for lokal luftkvalitet i Bergen med handlings- og beredskapsplan skal bidra til at forurensningsnivået holder seg innenfor kravene i forurensningsforskriften. Tiltaksutredningen omfatter en kartlegging av luftkvaliteten i Bergen kommune ved trafikkberegninger og utslipps- og spredningsberegninger for PM10, PM2,5 og NO 2 for Dagens situasjon 2019 og Referansesituasjonen 2030 med eksisterende og eventuelle nye tiltak. Utredningen vurderer effekten som tiltakene har for å overholde krav, men ser også på muligheten for ytterligere reduksjon i henhold til anbefalingene til helsemyndighetene. Basert på resultatene fra beregningene og i samarbeid med oppdragsgiver og referansegruppen, er det foreslått en revidert handlings- og beredskapsplan som skal behandles politisk.

NILU

Microplastics in Norwegian coastal areas, rivers, lakes and air (MIKRONOR1)

van Bavel, Bert; Lusher, Amy Lorraine; Consolaro, Chiara; Hjelset, Sverre; Singdahl-Larsen, Cecilie; Buenaventura, Nina Tuscano; Röhler, Laura; Pakhomova, Svetlana; Lund, Espen; Eidsvoll, David; Herzke, Dorte; Bråte, Inger Lise Nerland

Norsk institutt for vannforskning

Plastic ingestion and associated additives in Faroe Islands chicks of the Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis

Collard, France; Leconte, Simon; Danielsen, Johannis; Halsband, Claudia; Herzke, Dorte; Harju, Mikael; Tulatz, Felix; Gabrielsen, Geir Wing; Tarroux, Arnaud

Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) are a pelagic seabird species distributed at northern and polar latitudes. They are often used as an indicator of plastic pollution in the North Sea region, but data are lacking from higher latitudes, especially when it comes to chicks. Here, we investigated amounts of ingested plastic and their characteristics in fulmar chicks from the Faroe Islands. Plastic particles (1 mm) in chicks of two age classes were searched using a digestion method with KOH. In addition, to evaluate if additive tissue burden reflects plastic ingestion, we measured liver tissue concentrations of two pollutant classes associated with plastic materials: polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and several dechloranes, using gas chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The most common shape was hard fragment (81%) and the most common polymer was polyethylene (73%). Plastic contamination did not differ between either age class, and we found no correlation between neither the amount and mass of plastic particles and the concentration of additives. After comparison with previous studies on adult fulmars, we do not recommend using chicks for biomonitoring adults because chicks seem to ingest more plastics than adults.

Enhanced electrochemical degradation of acetaminophen in aqueous environments at oxygen-activated carbon felt anodes

Jakobczyk, Pawel; Skowierzak, Grzegorz; Kaczmarzyk, Iwona; Nadolska, Malgorzata; Wcislo, Anna; Lota, Katarzyna; Bogdanowicz, Robert; Ossowski, Tadeusz; Rostkowski, Pawel; Lota, Gregorz; Ryl, Jacek

Risk-benefit assessment of sunscreen - Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids, Materials in Contact with Food, and Cosmetics of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

Bruzell, Ellen Merete; Carlsen, Monica Hauger; Caspersen, Ida Henriette; Denison, Eva Marie-Louise; Devold, Tove Gulbrandsen; Granum, Berit Brunstad; Mathisen, Gro Haarklou; Rundén-Pran, Elise; Rasinger, Josef; Rohloff, Jens; Svendsen, Camilla; Husøy, Trine

VKM has performed a risk-benefit assessment of sunscreen use and six UV filters. This task
was undertaken on the initiative of a VKM Panel in response to the apparent paradox
between the need for protective measures, such as use of sunscreens, to reduce Norway’s
high incidence and mortality of skin cancer and a consumer concern for the safety of
sunscreens. Concerns include safety of ingredients and sunscreens’ effect on vitamin D
synthesis. Sunscreen products are legally regulated as cosmetic products in the EU, and only
approved UV filters up to a maximum determined concentration are allowed in the ready-foruse preparation.
VKM used a systematic approach to assess risks and benefits of sunscreen use and risks of
six selected UV filters: bis-ethyl-hexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), butyl
methoxydibenzoyl methane (BMDBM), 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS), ethylhexyl triazone
(EHT), octocrylene (OC), and titanium dioxide in nanoform (NP-TiO2). These UV filters are
among the most frequently used in sunscreens on the Norwegian market. Sunscreen sprays
and lip products were not included. Scientific publications and reports up to 2020 were
retrieved to assess adverse and protective effects of sunscreen and adverse effects of UV
filters. We assessed risk of bias in the studies and evidence for health outcomes with the aid
of validity tools, and estimated exposure to each UV filter using probabilistic methods.
The evidence showed that sunscreens were beneficial in protecting against certain skin
cancers. Insufficient evidence precluded determination of the hazard associated with
sunscreen use.
The UV filters occurred in concentrations similar to or below the limits set in the EU
cosmetics regulative. VKM considered that little to no hazard was associated with use of the
six evaluated UV filters.
VKM concludes that the risks related to use of the six evaluated UV filters are negligible since
the real-life use of these UV filters is several-fold lower than the amounts that may cause
any adverse health effect. The evidence for harmful health effects of sunscreens is
insufficient to determine risk. Sunscreen use protects against certain skin cancers and is
beneficial for the general Norwegian population.

A pooled analysis of molecular epidemiological studies on modulation of DNA repair by host factors

Opattová, Alena; Langie, Sabine A.S.; Milic, Mirta; Collins, Andrew Richard; Brevik, Asgeir; Dusinska, Maria; Coskun, Erdem; Gaivao, Isabel; Kadioglu, Ela; Laffon, Blanca; Marcos, Ricard; Pastor, Susana; Slyskova, Jana; Smolkova, Bozena ; Szilagyi, Zsofia; Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Vodicka, Pavel; Volkovova, Katarina ; Godschalk, Roger W.L.

Levels of DNA damage represent the dynamics between damage formation and removal. Therefore, to better interpret human biomonitoring studies with DNA damage endpoints, an individual’s ability to recognize and properly remove DNA damage should be characterized. Relatively few studies have included DNA repair as a biomarker and therefore, assembling and analyzing a pooled database of studies with data on base excision repair (BER) was one of the goals of hCOMET (EU-COST CA15132). A group of approximately 1911 individuals, was gathered from 8 laboratories which run population studies with the comet-based in vitro DNA repair assay. BER incision activity data were normalized and subsequently correlated with various host factors. BER was found to be significantly higher in women. Although it is generally accepted that age is inversely related to DNA repair, no overall effect of age was found, but sex differences were most pronounced in the oldest quartile (>61 years). No effect of smoking or occupational exposures was found. A body mass index (BMI) above 25 kg/m2 was related to higher levels of BER. However, when BMI exceeded 35 kg/m2, repair incision activity was significantly lower. Finally, higher BER incision activity was related to lower levels of DNA damage detected by the comet assay in combination with formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg), which is in line with the fact that oxidatively damaged DNA is repaired by BER. These data indicate that BER plays a role in modulating the steady-state level of DNA damage that is detected in molecular epidemiological studies and should therefore be considered as a parallel endpoint in future studies.