News - Risk Assessment
10. February 2026
Rare earths pollute Zurich's waters
An investigation in the canton of Zurich has shown that certain rare earth elements can enter bodies of water via wastewater treatment plants in concentrations that pose a risk to aquatic organisms. These elements are gadolinium, which comes from contrast agents used in healthcare facilities, as well as lanthanum and cerium, which are used in a number of wastewater treatment plants to remove phosphorus.
Read more09. January 2026
Podcast on PFAS in drinking water
How do PFAS end up in the environment and in drinking water? And what can be done about it? Ecotox Centre scientist Alexandra Kroll and former cantonal chemist Kurt Seiler explain why limit values are not enough and where we need to start earlier.
Read more08. January 2026
Safer receipts without bisphenols
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new formula for thermal paper that is free of harmful bisphenols. According to toxicological studies conducted by the Ecotox Center, the wood-based substitutes used are significantly less problematic than traditional substances.
Read more13. November 2025
Monitoring concept for plant protection products in Swiss soils
The Ecotox Centre is working with the National Soil Monitoring Programme (NABO) / Agroscope and EnviBioSoil on a concept for monitoring pesticide residues in Swiss agricultural soils. The project is part of the federal government's action plan for risk reduction and sustainable use of pesticides. Project manager and soil ecotoxicologist Mathieu Renaud reports on the progress made so far.
Read more11. November 2025
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.
Read more31. October 2025
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.
Read more03. October 2025
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.
Read more27. August 2025
Dialogue Day 2025 in Bern
During a dialogue day, the Ecotox Centre presented its current projects and exchanged ideas with stakeholders from various fields.
Read more20. August 2025
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.
Read more26. June 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).
Read more
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