IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute

IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute has made an assessment of the need for follow-up of Swedish national screening studies performed during the years 2007-2012. Defined tasks were to select approximately 25 substances for risk evaluation and to identity if there is a need for a more in-depth evaluation for any of these substances, and to select approximately 8 screening studies where there are needs for follow-up studies. Forty screening studies were performed during the selected time period and the total number of screened substances amounted to 540 individual chemical substances, groups of substances and metals. Substances not prioritized for risk evaluation were: classical well known substances ( e.g . PCBs, dioxins, metals) and their  metabolites; substances with low detection frequency in biotic < 50%; substances listed on as a priority substance within the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and substances treated as a group rather than as individuals ( e.g . unintentionally produced substances). Finally 22 substances remained for risk evaluation. Two brominated flame retardants (HBB and PBEB), two UV-filters (OTNE and AC) and one benzotriazole (UV 327) were suggested to be considered for an in depth evaluation. The screening studies not recommended for follow-up were: studies where a follow-up already had been done; studies concerning priority substances in the WFD; studies where the authors concluded that the substances do not pose a risk or that no issues remain at present; studies where follow-up studies, research projects and/or literature reviews are ongoing, and studies where method development is ongoing or needed before further screening can be performed. Six studies were not prioritized for a new screening but need to be considered further. Finally, the studies selected to be prioritized for further screening included the following substances; UV-filters, pharmaceuticals, fragrances, benzothiazoles and benzotriazoles, platinum group metals, organophosphate esters, metabolites of PAHs and phthalates in urine, and antioxidants and their degradation products.

This report is only available in English.