Sponsor
German Federal Environment Agency (UBA FKZ 3710 67 406)
Realisation
Hydrotox GmbH
Stefan Gartiser (project management) und Ismene Jäger
Project duration
November 2010 – August 2012
Project description
The aim of the project was to identify appropriate solutions for avoidance or reduction of identified risks of disinfectants and to compile risk mitigation measures (RMM) required for an EU-wide harmonised assessment of biocidal products. To this end, RMM proposed by producers, industrial/professional users, and authorities have been collected and analysed with focus on the mitigation of environmental risks. In this context, product type specific RMM guidance documents have been developed and were discussed among competent authorities.
Many disinfectant active substances are inactivated during use or are readily biodegradable. Neutralization of the active substance(s) is a RMM sometimes applied for strong acids/bases or oxidising agents. Most disinfectants are designed to be inactivated in municipal sewage treatment plants. Disinfectants for veterinary hygiene (PT 3) and in the food industry may also be treated in on-site STPs (PT 4).
Many disinfectants also contain detergents and other ingredients that may be of higher environmental concern than the active substances themselves. The formation of disinfection byproducts under the use conditions should be considered in the assessment of all biocidal products with oxidising active substances.
The selection of RMM should consider realistic options which reflect best techniques/practices and may require some surveillance by authorities. It is distinguished between general RMM and specific RMM. General RMM refer to the application of best practices, good housekeeping etc. Specific RMM are derived from the environmental risk assessment. A quantification of the efficiency and practicability of specific RMM and an evaluation of the possibility of enforcement of RMM are required, in order to be quantitatively considered in the risk assessment. In assessing the impact of biocides on the environment, specific risk mitigation measures (RMM) may be required to reduce the risks for the environment. RMM can be considered to be instruments of risk management. The practicability of RMM proposed by authorities, industry and users of biocides have been assessed with particular emphasis on wood preservatives and insecticides.
Further Informationen
The final report (in English) has been published as UBA-Texte Nr. 30/2013. The 
final report can be downloaded from the UBA website.
Contact person at Hydrotox is Stefan Gartiser. Mail: 
Gartiser(at)hydrotox.de, phone: +49-(0)761-45512-24