Via Pontica

On December 5, 2024, the 43rd meeting of the Basin Council to the Black Sea Basin Directorate was held at the Directorate’s headquarters in Varna. The event, which gathered representatives of various organizations and institutions, was also attended by representatives of the Via Pontica Foundation, led by the Chair of the Management Board, Mrs. Ina Agafonova.

The meeting commenced with a review and approval of the minutes from the previous 42nd session. The agenda included significant topics such as the presentation of the draft River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) for the 2022–2027 period, updated following public consultations, and the Marine Strategy for the same period. Additions to the environmental assessment reports for these documents were also discussed.

The implementation of the SCIRENA project, an initiative aimed at improving the ecological status of the Black Sea, was also on the agenda. The subsequent discussion provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions and offer suggestions for the future management of water resources in the region.

The Via Pontica Foundation is actively engaged in topics related to the sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. Our participation in such forums is part of our commitment to contribute to the preservation and restoration of resilient aquatic and marine ecosystems.

For more information about the foundation’s activities and our work in environmental conservation, visit our website or follow us on social media.

The Via Pontica Foundation joins the initiative to ban the export of dangerous pesticides, banned in the territory of the European Union, to third countries. This practice creates a double standard where banned pesticides are brought back into the EU through imported products, putting citizens’ health and the environment at risk.

More than 86,000 people have already signed the petition. The importance of signing this petition is huge. Every voice matters and can contribute to changing the current policy related to food safety and environmental protection.

Join us and sign the petition here!

On October 3, the first online meeting for the project “Harnessing the Power of Algae to Reduce Pollution and Support Blue Growth” – BSB00091 AlgaeRevive, took place.

This project is funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin program.

The partners—”Via Pontica” Foundation, Bulgaria (Lead Partner); “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” University, Burgas, Bulgaria; the Institute of Water Management “Tsotne Mirtskhulava” at the Technical University of Georgia; Odessa State Agrarian University, Ukraine; the Greek agricultural organization “DIMITRA”; and “Ovidius” University in Constanta, Romania—reviewed the project’s main objectives, upcoming activities, and the action plan for the months ahead. The key points discussed were the algae-based seawater purification strategy, research methodologies, and the importance of collaboration for the project’s success.

The “Via Pontica” Foundation team would like to thank all partners for their active participation and valuable input. We were proud to host this event, even virtually!

Keep an eye out for updates on the project’s progress here, and on the Project’s Facebook Page

The “Via Pontica” Foundation is pleased to share an important call for projects from the MedWet Initiative, aimed at celebrating World Wetlands Day 2025. This global event, held annually on February 2nd, focuses on raising awareness about the significance of wetlands for humanity and the environment.

Supported by the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), MedWet offers funding for projects designed to educate and engage a young audience (up to 25 years old) in the Mediterranean region. The primary goals include promoting global conservation efforts and building a network of ecological initiatives that emphasize the protection of wetlands.

Deadline for project submission: November 11, 2024
Funding announcement: January 8, 2025

For more details and to participate, you can find the full call for projects here.

Don’t miss the opportunity to contribute to the preservation of Mediterranean wetlands!

n recent years, water pollution has become an escalating problem across Europe. A new report reveals alarming levels of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a chemical byproduct from certain pesticides and industrial processes, belonging to the group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment.

Key Findings from the Report

The report, prepared by the Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) in collaboration with various environmental organizations, reveals several shocking facts:

• Widespread Pollution: All water samples analyzed in the study contain PFAS, with over 98% of the detected chemicals being TFA. This indicates that TFA is the dominant pollutant in European water sources.
• Exceeding Safe Limits: Approximately 79% of the water samples exceed the proposed safe limit of 500 nanograms per liter (ng/l) for total PFAS in drinking water, raising serious concerns about the safety of drinking water in Europe.
• The study found TFA contamination in surface and groundwater in ten EU countries, making it the largest known regional water contamination by a human-made chemical.
• The primary sources of TFA include PFAS pesticides in agriculture, emissions from refrigerants, industrial pollution, and wastewater treatment plants.

Why is TFA Pollution a Significant Issue?

The presence of TFA and other PFAS in water poses a serious threat to both the environment and public health. PFAS chemicals are known for their accumulation in the environment and their potential to cause various health problems, including cancers, liver damage, and immune system weakening.

TFA pollution is particularly concerning because it affects both surface and groundwater in agricultural areas, suggesting that PFAS pesticides are the main source of this contamination.

Sources of TFA Pollution

The primary sources of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) pollution are mainly PFAS pesticides used in rural areas. In addition to this, industrial emissions, refrigerants, and wastewater also contribute significantly. Over time, these chemicals break down into TFA, leading to widespread pollution over large areas, with the highest levels observed in regions with intensive agricultural pesticide use.

What Needs to Be Done?

The report calls for immediate and decisive action to address the TFA pollution problem. It emphasizes the need for urgent and specific measures, including:

• Ban on PFAS Pesticides: Implementing a swift ban on PFAS-based pesticides to prevent further contamination.
• Enhanced Regulation: Introducing strict limits and monitoring for TFA under the EU Water Framework Directive and the REACH chemicals regulation.
• Public Awareness: Educating the public about the dangers of PFAS exposure and advocating for safer alternatives to these chemicals.

The contamination of water sources with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and other PFAS chemicals represents a serious threat to the environment and public health that cannot be ignored. Without timely and stringent regulatory actions, this problem will worsen, leaving future generations to deal with the severe consequences. The time has come for European governments to take decisive steps to limit these dangerous pollutants and protect our water sources.

Access the  full report here.

The Via Pontica Foundation aligns with PAN Europe in urging Member States to oppose the renewal of captan and 8-hydroxyquinoline, two pesticides under review for continued use in the EU.

Captan is a fungicide linked to potential human health risks and environmental harm. It is classified as a probable human carcinogen and has adverse effects on aquatic life. Similarly, 8-hydroxyquinoline poses risks due to its toxicity to aquatic organisms and potential endocrine-disrupting properties.

We advocate for the discontinuation of these substances, emphasizing the need for safer and more sustainable alternatives to protect human health and the environment. The renewal of such hazardous chemicals contradicts the EU’s goals for a toxic-free environment and undermines efforts toward sustainable agriculture.

Via Pontica Foundation supports PAN Europe’s call for rigorous regulatory action to safeguard biodiversity, promote ecological farming practices, and ensure a healthier future for all.

For more details, please refer to the original letter by PAN Europe here.

The German Federal Office for Chemicals (BfC) has recently submitted a significant proposal to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), aiming to classify trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and its inorganic salts as reproductive toxicants. This proposal is rooted in new scientific evidence that links exposure to TFA, an atmospheric by-product of certain refrigerants and pesticides, to reproductive toxicity.

TFA is a persistent chemical that falls under the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) category, known for their long-lasting presence in the environment. These chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” have been found in various environmental mediums, such as water bodies and soil, primarily through atmospheric deposition and runoff from agricultural activities.

BfC’s proposal outlines the potential hazards of TFA, emphasizing its capability to cause reproductive harm, with a proposed classification of Repr. 1B (suspected human reproductive toxicant). This classification is based on animal studies indicating adverse effects on fertility and development. Additionally, TFA’s current classification as an acute toxicant when inhaled would be elevated from Acute Toxicity 4 H332 to Acute Toxicity 3 H331, reflecting its higher toxicity levels.

The German agency also suggests that TFA and its salts be categorized under hazard classes PMT (persistent, mobile, and toxic) and vPvM (very persistent, very mobile). These classifications underline TFA’s potential to cause widespread and long-lasting contamination of water resources, which poses significant environmental and health risks.

This proposal initiates an 18-month review process by ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC), inviting stakeholders to contribute their data and arguments. If approved, the new classification will become effective following an EU Commission decision and a transitional period.

Dr. Jan Averbeck of BfC emphasizes the necessity of this classification, based on the latest study results, to communicate TFA’s hazardous properties effectively and ensure protective measures are in place. This move highlights the ongoing efforts to address the environmental and health impacts of PFAS and other persistent chemicals.

For more detailed information, visit the original article.