project

Are PMOCs less toxic?

Persistent mobile organic compounds (PMOC) accumulate in the water cycle and are hardly removed during water treatment. For a long time, these substances have been under-researched but recent studies show that they are present in worrying concentrations.

It is now also known that these substances are present in drinking water. Not a lot is known about toxicity. As a result, it is not possible to determine the potential danger represented by these substances. This project was initiated to acquire a better understanding of toxicity in relation to the mobility and persistence of PMOCs.

This will allow for a better risk assessment of these substances, both for humans and the environment. These new insights will be applied in the current discussion about the criteria for persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) substances and the possible classification of PMOCs as substances of very high concern (SVHC). Ultimately, this knowledge will contribute to better decision-making for monitoring studies and water quality assessment, and the risk assessment for PMOCs in the water cycle.