Chemicals banned in the 1970s still widely detected across Europe, new study finds
A new study has found that regulatory restrictions introduced more than half a century ago have failed to eliminate contamination from banned chemicals across Europe. Researchers say they detected banned chemicals in air, water, sediments, soils, snow and sludge, demonstrating their environmental persistence.
A recent study has revealed that chemicals banned in the 1970s, specifically polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are still widely detected across Europe. The research, published in the journal Environmental Research, found these chemicals in various environmental compartments, including air, water, sediments, soils, snow, and sludge.
The study, led by Prof. Khaled Abass from the University of Sharjah, highlights the environmental persistence of PBDEs, which were once used to reduce fire risks in various products. One key finding is the dominance of BDE-209 in sediment-rich matrices, a concern as these sediments can act as long-term environmental reservoirs, gradually releasing contaminants into waterways, soils, waste-management systems, and food chains.
The presence of PBDEs in both impacted and remote environments underscores the complexity of their legacy contamination and the need for continued monitoring and regulation.
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