News - Risk Assessment
27. October 2020, Topic: Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Ecotoxicological effects of polyacrylamides and polyacrylates in agriculture
Polyacrylamides and polyacrylates can be used as soil conditioners. But since most chemical regulations do not apply to polymers, little is known about their ecotoxicological effects. A report summarises the current state of knowledge.
Read more02. September 2020, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
New faces at the Ecotox Centre
We welcome our new colleagues Alena Tierbach and Carolin Riegraf.
Read more09. July 2020, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Info sheet on PFAS in the environment
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are very stable and accumulate worldwide in the environment and in organisms. A new info sheet gives information on their occurrence, their toxicity and the regulatory context.
Read more15. May 2020, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
TKTD-modelling for dummies
A milestone has been reached by processing one of the TKTD models for the use of practitioners without modelling experience. With the GUTs model, the mortality can be predicted for a given concentration curve of a chemical.
Read more11. May 2020, Topic: Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment , Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Assessment of sediment quality in artificial canals in Valais
Ecotoxicological bioassays and the assessment of invertebrate benthic communities complement physico-chemical analyses when assessing sediment quality. The sediment quality in three artificial channels in the Valais was severely affected.
Read more08. May 2020, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Fungicidal azoles cause concern
In Switzerland, these substances are detected in most samples from water, sediment, soil and organisms. However, a lack of toxicity data for many azoles makes it difficult to assess the risk they pose.
Read more23. April 2020, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Effect-based limits come into force - milestone for a long-term project
With the amendment to the Water Protection Ordinance of 1 April 2020, an important goal was achieved: For 19 pesticides and three pharmaceuticals, the quality criteria developed by the Ecotox Centre now apply as limit values for surface waters.
Read more17. March 2020, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
COVID-19 Information
Due to the current situation regarding the coronavirus / COVID-19, all Ecotox Centre offices and labs are closed starting 17 March 2020. Employees work from home and can be contacted via e-mail.
Read more22. November 2019, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Soil Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
"Ecotoxicology will continue to gain in importance" - in conversation with Inge Werner
The longtime former head of the Ecotox Centre, Inge Werner, handed over management to Benoit Ferrari on 1 September. Here she reflects on the past and future of practical ecotoxicology in Switzerland.
Read more21. November 2019, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology , Sediment Ecotoxicology , Risk Assessment
Ecotoxicological effects of pesticides in stream sediments
Pesticides in sediments cause adverse effects on benthic organisms. This was shown by a monitoring study conducted by the Ecotox Centre and Eawag on five streams in agricultural areas. Crustaceans were particularly affected. Concentrations of several insecticides, including chlorpyrifos and the pyrethroid cypermethrin, exceeded effect thresholds, indicating impaired sediment quality.
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