News - Risk Assessment

11. November 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Sunscreen and bathing lakes: what happens to UV filters in Swiss lakes and experimental ponds?

Sunscreen and bathing lakes: what happens to UV filters in Swiss lakes and experimental ponds?

UV filters from sunscreens have been detected in Swiss lakes in concentrations that in some cases exceed the provisional environmental quality criteria. In both lakes and experimental ponds, lipophilic UV filters such as octocrylene tend to accumulate at the water surface. Additional data on behaviour and toxicity in sediments is currently being collected in order to refine the quality criteria.

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31. October 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Panel Discussion "Gewässer in Gefahr" 3.11., 19.00

Panel Discussion "Gewässer in Gefahr" 3.11., 19.00

On Monday, 3 November at 7 p.m., Cornelia Kienle will take part in the Körber-Foundation's panel discussion "Gewässer in Gefahr" in Hamburg. Online participation is possible via livestream.

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03. October 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment , Sediment Ecotoxicology

Webinar: Bioassays for assessing surface water quality, 28.10.2025, 14.30-16.00

Webinar: Bioassays for assessing surface water quality, 28.10.2025, 14.30-16.00

A new series of webinars organised by the German Water Chemistry Society highlights the opportunities and possibilities of bioassays for assessing water quality. The Ecotox Centre is also contributing to the second webinar on the use of effect-based methods for assessing suface water quality.

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27. August 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Dialogue Day 2025 in Bern

Dialogue Day 2025 in Bern

During a dialogue day, the Ecotox Centre presented its current projects and exchanged ideas with stakeholders from various fields.

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20. August 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Ecotox Centre in RTS A Bon Entendeur on tire residues

Ecotox Centre in RTS A Bon Entendeur on tire residues

Every year, more than 10,000 tonnes of tire abrasion are generated in Switzerland, containing potentially problematic substances. Some of these compounds can end up in fruit or vegetables – a new environmental problem that raises important questions for health and ecosystems.

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26. June 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Ecotox Centre Dialogue Day 2025

Ecotox Centre Dialogue Day 2025

We are pleased to invite you to this year's Ecotox Centre Dialogue Day, which will take place on Tuesday, 26 August 2025, from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. in Bern (bilingual German/French with simultaneous translation).

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06. June 2025, Topic: Sediment Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Ecotoxicological assessment of contaminated sites

Ecotoxicological assessment of contaminated sites

A new report from the Ecotox Centre provides an overview of suitable bioassays for the assessment of contaminated sites.

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20. May 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Quality criteria at the Ecotox Centre - new values and substances, new complete list

Quality criteria at the Ecotox Centre - new values and substances, new complete list

Do you need to assess environmental concentrations of chemicals? The Ecotox Centre maintains an extensive database of environmental quality criteria (EQC) and other ecotoxicological threshold values, which we have now expanded to include new information.

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14. May 2025, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Ecotox Centre at EPFL - Interview with Christof Holliger

Ecotox Centre at EPFL - Interview with Christof Holliger

Christof Holliger, Professor of Environmental Biotechnology at EPFL, has been closely involved with the Ecotox Centre since it was founded in 2008, initially as part of the direction and the strategic steering committee and later as the representative of EPFL on the host institute council. He retired at the end of February 2025. Here he looks back.

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20. March 2025, Topic: Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment

Ecotoxicity of munitions contaminated soil

Ecotoxicity of munitions contaminated soil

In areas used for military purposes, the soil can be contaminated with munitions and explosives, resulting in contaminated sites with potential impacts on the environment.

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