Tox-Box: securing drops of life - an enhanced health-related approach for risk assessment of drinking water in Germany

Abstract

This article introduces 'Tox-Box', a joint research project designed to develop a holistic approach towards a harmonized testing strategy for exposure-and hazard-based risk management of anthropogenic trace substances in drinking water to secure a long-term drinking water supply. The main task of the Tox-Box consortium is to enhance the existing health-related indicator value concept (German: GOW-Konzept -Gesundheitlicher Orientierungswert) through development and prioritization of additional end point-related testing strategies for genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, germ cell damage, and endocrine effects. In this context, substance-specific modes of action will be identified and characterized. Toxicological data collected by the 12 Tox-Box subprojects will be evaluated and weighted to structure a hierarchical testing strategy for an improved risk assessment. A technical guidance document for exposure and hazard-based risk management of anthropogenic trace substances in drinking water will eventually be prepared.

Impacts of coagulation on the adsorption of organic micropollutants onto powdered activated carbon in treated domestic wastewater

“…The occurrence of pharmaceuticals, personal-care products and industrial chemicals in the aquatic environment has become a cause for concern over the last decade (Reemtsma et al, 2006;Ternes, 2007), leading to ongoing discussions and intensified research regarding possible health effects (Grummt et al, 2013). While the impacts of anthropogenic organic micropollutants (OMP) on the environment and humans are not fully elucidated to date, negative effects have been reported for laboratory bioassay tests and real-life test organisms (Leusch et al, 2014;Liang et al, 2014).…”

From agricultural fields to surface water systems: the overland transport of veterinary antibiotics

“…As a result, in 2011, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) initiated the funding framework RiSKWa: Risk Management of Emerging Compounds and Pathogens in the Water Cycle. RiSKWa was comprised of 12 joint research projects, including: (i) Anthropogenic Trace Organic Compounds and Pathogens in the Urban Water Cycle: Assessment, Barriers and Risk Communication (ASKURIS; Jekel et al 2013); (ii) Reduction of Micropollutants and Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria for Further Water Quality Improvement of River Schussen, a Tributary of Lake Constance (SchussenAktivplus; Triebskorn et al 2013); and (iii) Hazard-Based Risk Management of Anthropogenic Trace Substances for Protection of the Drinking Water Supply (TOX-BOX; Grummt et al 2013).…”

Development of a combined in vitro cell culture – Quantitative PCR assay for evaluating the disinfection performance of pulsed light for treating the waterborne enteroparasite Giardia lamblia

“…In this context of meeting this important directive, the detection and destruction of emerging recalcitrant pathogens such as chlorine-resistant Cryptosporidium and Giardia parasites and related issues such as the occurrence of unwanted anthropogenic micropollutants in surface waters via drinking and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has come under the spotlight of scientists as well as politicians (Rowan, 2011;Grummit et al, 2013). Concomitantly, several research projects including the EU project ''Poseidon'' (Ternes, 2004), the Swiss project ''Strategy Micropoll'' (Abeeglen et al, 2009) or long-term activities of the NORMAN network (http://www.norman-network.net/) have investigated the efficiency of different innovative technologies in WWTPs such as ozonation or charcoal filters, to specifically lower concentrations Table 1 Log 10 reduction and infectivity of treated Giardia lamblia via real time PCR and cell culture infectivity IF staining of the HCT-8 cell line following UV treatment (±standard deviation).…”

“…of micropollutants in surface water (Grummit et al, 2013). While the efficiency, practical suitability and respective limitations and strengths were evaluated by several leading scientists in this field of study (Schrank et al, 2009;Stalter et al, 2010), the general consensus reached is that there is concern regarding use of innovative oxidative processes as they create toxic metabolites as well as recognition of the importance of integrating these technologies for destroying emerging recalcitrant microbial pathogens such as parasites and antibiotic resistant microorganisms.…”