Latest ETC Reports (included in homepage)

This report provides an up-to-date assessment of the burden of disease from transportation noise in children and adolescents in Europe. Novel exposure response functions are derived by means of an Umbrella+ review, combining systematic reviews with recent original research. Calculations are conducted for three scenarios: i) using a quantification threshold of 55 dB; ii) using the WHO guidelines as a quantification threshold; and iii) using the identified effect threshold of 45 or 50 dB, respectively. According to scenario i) 564,000 children with reading difficulties, 63,000 children with behavioral problems and 272,000 children with overweight are attributable to transportation noise exposure in Europe. Substantially higher number were found for scenario ii) and iii). A review of intervention studies identified five types of interventions ranging from noise reduction at the source to social interventions including education. Research evaluating the effectiveness of such interventions for children’s health is very limited.

Results of this study are based on literature review, on expertise from Ineris engineers and on a benchmark. The benchmark of existing ELVs/EQSs for PFAS used in industry undertaken for this report is based on feedback from six European countries and five non-European countries, and on monitoring of current projects regarding PFAS. It shows that ELVs in wastewater are mainly set on a case-by-case basis in permits and not at national or regional level. Only France has a national ELV of 25 µg/l for PFOS in wastewater. Current discussions regarding surface-, ground- and drinking water, whether it is a question of setting threshold of compounds (list of individual compounds, “sum of PFAS” or “total PFAS”), measurement standards or monitoring are linked for all matrices. The setting of ELVs for air emissions is less advanced. Regarding monitoring, numerous projects and developments are on-going. State-of-the-art from expert feedback shows that, in water matrix, standards exist for some individual compounds. Development of index methods is currently under study and may enable a different approach to regulation (non-target monitoring). In air matrix, standards are in the early stages of development, and feedback is awaited.