Water

Air emissions of PCB, 1990: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Environment and health: Located in Publications
Environment and our health: Located in Environmental topics › Environment and health › Multimedia
Feasibility study: Modelling environmental concentrations of chemicals from emission data: Located in Publications
Getting Europe's precious waters clean again: Protecting water from pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges that we face. In recent decades, major disasters like the Sandoz incident in 1986 demonstrated that pollution knows no frontiers and that strong EU actions and cooperation were needed. This detailed news report looks at the ways in which Europe’s determination to protect water in all its forms is achieving results. From the European quality of the drinking water, through the treatment of waste water, to protection of its rivers, coasts and lakes – over the last few decades it has developed an effective legislative arsenal. The aim of the European Union is for all the water on its territory to by in good status by 2015. Although challenges remain, results are obvious. For example, in 2000, the EU adopted a directive promoting trans-boundary co-operation and introducing the river basin management concept where the territory of the river as a whole is taken into account. And in terms of bathing water, since 1990, the number of bathing sites fulfilling the EU standards has increased by almost 30% to an impressive 90%.
Located in Environmental topics › Water › Multimedia
Pollution from antifouling paint: (Transcription of audio on video) Antifouling paint was developed to reduce drag on ship hulls by preventing the buildup of barnacles and other organisms, consequently making ships faster and more fuel efficient. However its propensity for wider impacts on the marine environment had been grossly underestimated. The chemicals used prevented molluscs like oysters from reproducing, and in the 1970's and 80's widespread collapse of mollusc stocks in and around harbours was reported. These types of paints have now been banned on small vessels, and complete phase out from global shipping fleets is planned by 2008. Source: SOER 2005
Located in Environmental topics › Biodiversity › Multimedia
REACH: A new regulation for chemical substances: The new European law known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) was adopted by the Member States and the European Parliament and has entered into force in June 2007. By tabling this new legislation, the European Commission demonstrated its determination to protect Europeans' health and the environment. Indeed, recent scientific research has demonstrated that certain chemicals enter and accumulate in living organisms, including humans. While all substances placed on the market after 1981 have been tested to assess their safety, that is not the case for the tens of thousands of chemicals marketed before that date. That is why the European Union has developed this ambitious new Regulation on chemicals, one of the key sectors of the European economy.
Located in Environmental topics › Chemicals › Multimedia
Sources of water pollution: (Transcription of audio on video) Water can be polluted from many sources. Faecal contamination from sewage makes water unpleasant and unsafe for recreational activities such as swimming, boating or fishing. Many organic pollutants, including sewage effluent and farm and food-processing wastes consume oxygen, suffocating fish and other aquatic life. Nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates, from everything from farm fertilisers to household detergents, can 'overfertilise' the water causing the growth of large mats of algae, some of which are directly toxic. When the algae die, they sink to the water bottom, decomposing, consuming oxygen and damaging ecosystems. Chemical contaminants including heavy metals, pesticides and some industrial chemicals can threaten wildlife and human health. Sediment run-off from the land can make water muddy, blocking sunlight and, as a result, killing wildlife. And irrigation, especially when used improperly, can bring flows of salts, nutrients and other pollutants from soils into water. Source: SOER 2005
Located in Environmental topics › Biodiversity › Multimedia
Towards a European Chemicals Information System: a survey on reported monitoring activities of chemicals in Europe: Located in Publications
Trends of flame-retardants in mothers milk monitored in Sweden: Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs