SETAC 2024
The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) is a not-for-profit, worldwide professional organization composed of more than 16,000 individuals and 85 partner organizations in more than 90 countries dedicated to advancing environmental science and environmental management.
The 2024 event in Europe sees industry leading scientists from academia, business, industry and government to share, debate, and discuss their most recent scientific knowledge on the theme of “Science-Based Solutions in Times of Crisis: Integrating Science and Policy for Environmental Challenges.”
Book a meeting with our experts in Seville
Meet the team at Booth 121
Ricardo’s Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology team look forward to once again participating, learning and networking with global industry leaders at this must-attend event, highlighting the key topics for the sector, and the challenges facing us as we progress.
Ricardo's expertise is also being called on to chair a number of sessions at this years' event:
- Characterization, Testing and Assessment of Complex Substances (MCS, UVCBs & MOCS)
- New Perspectives and Developments in Chemical (Bio)Degradation and Persistence Assessment
- Hazards, Risks, and Management of Soil Ecosystems for Sustainable and Environmental Conservation
Read on for details of the presentations and posters the team will be supporting this year.
We look forward to seeing you there!
The presenters
Platforms and posters
Tuesday, 7 May 2024 – Poster presentation
ExxonMobil
Persistence assessments are an increasingly important component in regulatory evaluation and management of industrial chemicals – especially with the newly added hazard classes under CLP. However, complex, costly and technically challenging. Ricardo supports a new project which aims to identify critical factors to assist with stakeholder decision making.
Thursday, 9 May 2024, 10:05 am – Platform presentation
Ricardo
Presenting a robust analysis of measured environmental concentrations of Bisphenol A (BPA) in European fresh and saline surface waters and sediments, with data from 21 countries captured and analysed by Ricardo’s experts.
Tuesday, 7 May 2024 – Poster presentation
Ricardo
A rising interest in understanding the impact of micro- and nano-plastic particles (MNP) and ecotoxicological effects on terrestrial ecosystems highlights issues with the reporting of MNP properties and a lack of environmental representativeness. By examining the differences between engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and MNP terrestrial effects studies, we aim to identify opportunities to enhance MNP studies.
Tuesday, 7 May 2024, 11:40 am – Platform presentation
SINTEF Ocean
In this ongoing work, the OECD 309 Surface Water Mineralisation Test – the preferred method for generating data for persistence assessment under EU REACH – has been investigated by providing an in-depth assessment of inoculum quality and viability; identifying and validating more relevant reference substances that better reflect the vital status and composition of the inoculum; and providing a data-based evaluation of the test robustness and applicability.
Tuesday, 7 May 2024 – Poster presentation
Ricardo
Higher tier biodegradation simulation tests are used to assess the degradation kinetics and transformation products of substances under realistic environmental conditions. Data from such tests are utilised in persistence assessments and are information requirements under several chemical regulations in the EU, such as REACH and Plant Protection Products Regulation (PPPR). Simulation tests include the OECD test guideline (TG) for testing of chemicals in surface water – the OECD TG 309.
In this presentation, the assessment of volatile hydrophobic substances under OECD TG 309 will be explored in the context of both behaviour of the test substance and guideline validity criteria. Potential adapted and alternative test systems for assessing degradation rates in surface water will be presented and discussed, and recommendations for future research to further develop suitable test systems.
Monday, 6 May 2024 – Poster presentation
Ricardo
Water generated during the production of oil and gas from offshore wells contains a complex mixture of dissolved and particulate organic and inorganic substances, including naturally occurring substances (NOS) from geological formations such as hydrocarbons, metals, and chemicals intentionally added during production. Some components of produced water have hazardous properties including environmental persistence, toxicity, potential for endocrine activity, and potential to bioaccumulate in marine organisms. Consequently, produced water discharges are heavily regulated.
The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) previously published reports describing the fate and effects of NOS in produced water. In the two decades since publication, a review of evidence was performed and an updated overview of NOS in produced water has been produced to highlight the environmental risks from produced water discharges in the marine environment.
Monday, 6 May 2024 – Poster presentation
Ricardo
Chemical manufacturers are utilising cradle-to-gate life cycle assessments to report the environmental impacts of their products under methodologies such as Together For Sustainability (ISO14067) and Product Environmental Footprint. These platforms allow practitioners to switch between -1/1 and 0/0 methods but background datasets e.g., ecoinvent used by platforms to apply allocation, doesn’t always align to the physical allocation required for carbon flow modelling. This could lead to practitioners drawing inaccurate conclusions particularly when undertaking comparative LCA.
Aiming to address the disparity, the project seeks to create a calculation to characterise and balance carbon flows, to identify where the imbalance occurs and automatically propose a correction. This calculation could be applied to any ecoinvent material process and would enable users to report GWP impacts under a -1/1 method that balance carbon flows. This should help avoid inaccurate assessments under systems like ISO14067.
More from our chemical soluions team
Persistence Assessment Tool
PAT is a software tool that our environmental chemistry and toxicology experts have developed in conjunction with Concawe and the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety.
The tool provides a structured and clear methodology to systematically capture and store information on persistence; evaluate data quality; and,
carry out a robust and transparent weight of evidence determination;
and assess persistence in line with global regulatory frameworks.
A deep dive into PFAS
The Chemical Strategy for Sustainability made a clear commitment to phase out all PFAS use in the EU. A proposal for a ‘universal restriction’ on all PFAS has been prepared by five EU Member State authorities and the restriction dossier has been published by ECHA. ECHA's scientific committees are now evaluating the proposal.
Horizon scanning
Maintaining regulatory compliance requires regular monitoring of substances status’, which can be time-consuming and problematic. A horizon scanning tool performs an inventory check to ascertain whether a substance appears on any global regulatory lists, providing status updates in a clear, easy-to-read report.
Safe and sustainable chemical use
Ricardo is uniquely positioned to support the chemical sector with all aspects of sustainability. Ricardo’s chemical experts provide in-depth knowledge of the sector including expertise in environmental chemistry and toxicology, chemical regulations and responsible product stewardship. Ricardo’s carbon management and circular economy teams can help with net zero ambitions, renewable energy options, life cycle assessment tools, sustainability reporting, sustainable packaging, sustainable procurement and more.