Lecture
Implications, blind spots, and consequences of the PM concept
- at -
- ICM Saal 3
- Type: Lecture
Lecture description
Persistent and mobile (PM) substances continue to raise concern because their extreme persistence and high mobility enable continuous accumulation and widespread distribution across environmental compartments. As exposures increase, risks may rise
accordingly, and PM contamination has been recognised in SOER2020 and the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The introduction of PMT/vPvM hazard classes under the CLP Regulation and ongoing updates within the Water Framework Directive,
including attention to TFA, signal a growing policy focus on these substances.
Although the focus main has been on the highly water-soluble PMs, very volatile precursors and ultra-short-chain transformation products also contribute to long-range transport through the atmosphere. Their behaviour indicates that current air-pollution
frameworks may not fully capture smaller transformation products formed during end-of-life processes such as waste treatment and incineration.
Preventing downstream contamination would benefit from upstream consideration of chemicals capable of forming PM degradation products. This includes not only active substances, but also impurities, synthesis-related by-products, and transformation
products. Lifecycle-oriented assessments across sectoral regulations may help address gaps where only the use phase is typically evaluated. Coherent handling of PM transformation products across soil-water-air legislation could also support improved
monitoring prioritisation while recognising the challenges of achieving robust sampling. Effective management may further rely on feedback mechanisms in which monitoring outcomes inform upstream prevention at the source.
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) illustrates these complexities: formed from various HFO/HFCs, pesticides, PFAS precursors, and waste-management emissions. The proven degradation of PFAS pesticides to TFA has led to regulatory action, such as
Denmark’s withdrawal of 33 PFAS-pesticide formulations to protect groundwater directly used for drinking water. Enhanced use-volume based modelling and monitoring approaches in products, at the sources and in biota (e.g. in plants), could strengthen
the detection and management of PM emissions.
accordingly, and PM contamination has been recognised in SOER2020 and the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The introduction of PMT/vPvM hazard classes under the CLP Regulation and ongoing updates within the Water Framework Directive,
including attention to TFA, signal a growing policy focus on these substances.
Although the focus main has been on the highly water-soluble PMs, very volatile precursors and ultra-short-chain transformation products also contribute to long-range transport through the atmosphere. Their behaviour indicates that current air-pollution
frameworks may not fully capture smaller transformation products formed during end-of-life processes such as waste treatment and incineration.
Preventing downstream contamination would benefit from upstream consideration of chemicals capable of forming PM degradation products. This includes not only active substances, but also impurities, synthesis-related by-products, and transformation
products. Lifecycle-oriented assessments across sectoral regulations may help address gaps where only the use phase is typically evaluated. Coherent handling of PM transformation products across soil-water-air legislation could also support improved
monitoring prioritisation while recognising the challenges of achieving robust sampling. Effective management may further rely on feedback mechanisms in which monitoring outcomes inform upstream prevention at the source.
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) illustrates these complexities: formed from various HFO/HFCs, pesticides, PFAS precursors, and waste-management emissions. The proven degradation of PFAS pesticides to TFA has led to regulatory action, such as
Denmark’s withdrawal of 33 PFAS-pesticide formulations to protect groundwater directly used for drinking water. Enhanced use-volume based modelling and monitoring approaches in products, at the sources and in biota (e.g. in plants), could strengthen
the detection and management of PM emissions.
