Mapping chemical footprints in European streams

Analysis shows a mix of chemicals that endanger invertebrate organisms in particular

11-Mar-2024 - It is well known that if chemicals from domestic sources enter water bodies via sewage treatment plants, agriculture, and industry, this can endanger freshwater ecosystems. In order to find out more about the pollution of European rivers, a research team from the Helmholtz Centre for ...

PFAS reduce the activity of immune cells

A study demonstrates immune-modifying effect using a new method

21-Jul-2023 - Because they are persistant, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are also known as "chemicals for eternety". They can lead to liver damage, thyroid disorders, obesity, hormonal disorders, and cancer. A team of researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) has now ...

Bioindicator for the occurrence of PFAS

The liver of wild boar indicates the level of PFAS contamination

28-Apr-2023 - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are considered to be forever chemicals. Many are toxic; others are highly mobile or accumulate in the food chain. However, all are extremely persistent and are spread throughout the environment. The contamination hot-spots of the PFAS can be proven only ...

Chemicals in the environment: A focus on mixtures

Combined chemical and bioanalytical methods are able to efficiently characterise chemical mixtures

27-Jan-2020 - In the past, it was sufficient to identify individual chemicals as the cause of detrimental effects on humans and the environment. But in the meantime, it has become apparent that this approach falls short of the mark. This is because the real world is marked by multiple stressors, among them ...

Omics methods: Towards a better prediction of the effects of substances at very low doses

19-Mar-2015 - A public and scientific discussion is currently taking place focusing on the question whether substances at low concentrations may lead to health impairments in humans. For this reason, an increasing number of experimental studies to test such effects are currently conducted using different ...

White, but not pure

Scientists detect PCBs on America’s highest peak

10-Dec-2009 - Conception/Leipzig. Even the snow on Aconcagua Mountain in the Andes is polluted with PCBs. An international team of researchers detected low concentrations of these toxic, carcinogenic chlorine compounds in samples taken from America's highest mountain. The snow samples taken at an altitude of ...

Pesticides -- easier detection of pollution and impact in rivers

08-Sep-2009 - The long-term effects of pesticides on living organisms in rivers and on water quality can now be assessed more easily. Researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) have developed a tool that can estimate the harmful effect of pesticides, such as those flushed into ...

Fitting pieces for biosensors

15-Apr-2009 - Research and industry are increasingly exploiting the potential of aptamers. As well as their application in research, medical diagnosis and treatment, aptamers are also interesting as a basis for biosensors for use in environmental analysis because their characteristics enable them to identify ...