Final Activity Report Summary - RAMSES (Risk assessment methodologies for surfactants of environmental significance)
Chemical risk assessment refers to a methodology under which a pollutant of environmental relevance and concern is thoroughly assessed for its toxic and carcinogenic potential, bioaccumulation, likelihood to undergo atmospheric and aquatic transport and generally possess the capability to impact health and the environment.
In the beginning of our funded Marie Curie proposal there were several 'problems' concerning the selected chemicals (Perfluorocarboxylic Acids - PFCAs) and their comprehensive risk assessment:
1. Ambiguity in the scientific literature concerning their physical-chemical properties
2. Unquantified chemical loadings into the environment
3. Lack of mechanistic understanding of transport and distribution
4. Environmental reservoirs and sinks
Our research plan (Risk Assessment Methodologies for Surfactants of Environmental Significance - RAMSES) advocated a comprehensive investigation of all previous scientific 'shortenings' and, as seen in the following scientific report, delivered important first answers in several areas. For example, we highlighted the dominance of direct emission sources (i.e. historical manufacture) into the environment, with water being the main sink/reservoir that the chemical will eventually reside. We showed the importance of oceanic transport as responsible for delivering high chemical amounts into the Arctic that were shown to be significantly higher than the respective from atmospheric transport and deposition. Furthermore, emission loadings were assigned to the entire perfluorocarboxylic chain-length for different time periods, geographic locations and environmental media. These chemicals were also found to be able to transport in the atmosphere bound to particles and more research on this is highly recommended.
In the beginning of our funded Marie Curie proposal there were several 'problems' concerning the selected chemicals (Perfluorocarboxylic Acids - PFCAs) and their comprehensive risk assessment:
1. Ambiguity in the scientific literature concerning their physical-chemical properties
2. Unquantified chemical loadings into the environment
3. Lack of mechanistic understanding of transport and distribution
4. Environmental reservoirs and sinks
Our research plan (Risk Assessment Methodologies for Surfactants of Environmental Significance - RAMSES) advocated a comprehensive investigation of all previous scientific 'shortenings' and, as seen in the following scientific report, delivered important first answers in several areas. For example, we highlighted the dominance of direct emission sources (i.e. historical manufacture) into the environment, with water being the main sink/reservoir that the chemical will eventually reside. We showed the importance of oceanic transport as responsible for delivering high chemical amounts into the Arctic that were shown to be significantly higher than the respective from atmospheric transport and deposition. Furthermore, emission loadings were assigned to the entire perfluorocarboxylic chain-length for different time periods, geographic locations and environmental media. These chemicals were also found to be able to transport in the atmosphere bound to particles and more research on this is highly recommended.