News

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.

The use of glyphosate will partially be banned in Bulgaria. It will no longer be available in areas used by the general public, public parks, gardens, sports and recreation grounds, school and children’s playgrounds, as well as near health and educational facilities.

Glyphosate-containing herbicides will be allowed only for professional use in Bulgaria. Only users certified by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency will be able to buy and use this chemical. The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency says all producers and traders are obliged to change their use:

• Not to be used by non-professional users, all glyphosate-containing products should be categorised in the professional use category
• Not approved for aerial spraying
• Not allowed as a desiccant or defoliant before the harvest of agricultural crops
• Not allowed for the treatment of water channels
• Not to be applied on areas used by the general public or by vulnerable groups, such as public parks and gardens, sports and recreation grounds, school and children’s playgrounds, as well as in the immediate vicinity of health and educational facilities
• Not to be applied in protection zones defined in the Water Act or other areas defined by order of the Minister of Environment and Water

“The action of the Bulgarian Ministry is a good step to reduce the use of the dangerous weed killer. Which is catastrophically damaging to human health, biodiversity, soil and water,” said Dr. Svetla Nikolova, from AGROLINK Bulgaria.

“The partial ban on glyphosate in Bulgaria is a significant milestone in protecting our health and environment. This decision underscores the vital role of civil society in advocating for safer practices and promoting sustainable agriculture. By restricting the use of this harmful herbicide in public spaces and vulnerable areas, Bulgaria is taking a proactive stance in safeguarding biodiversity, soil health, and water quality. We acknowledge AGROLINK’s significant contribution to this important regulatory change, which represents a meaningful step towards a healthier and more sustainable future for Bulgaria”, said Ina Agafonova, from Via Pontica Foundation, member of PAN Europe from Bulgaria.

The new regulation is published on the government website with the register of authorised plant protection products. The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency has yet to introduce how it will control the implementation of prohibitions and restrictions. So far glyphosate-containing herbicides can be bought freely from agro-pharmacies and shops. Manufacturers label them without the necessary instructions for use and warnings about its dangerous consequences

The Great Glyphosate Court Case

In December 2023 the European Commission gave the green light for 10 more years of glyphosate in the European Union. This is a disaster for health, biodiversity, soil and water. Many independent scientific studies show the dangers. To re-approve glyphosate is a violation of the EU Pesticide Law that says that health and the environment should go first. In case of substantial doubt, the precautionary principle has to be applied.

Together with ClientEarth (EU), Générations Futures (France), GLOBAL 2000 (Austria), PAN Germany, and PAN Netherlands, we have launched a legal challenge against the European Commission’s recent decision to re-approve glyphosate. After conducting a detailed examination of the glyphosate re-approval process and identifying several critical shortcomings we submitted a Request for Internal review to the Commission, marking the first step in this legal battle.

Bulgaria shows Member States can individually take steps against glyphosate while we fight the European Commission’s decision in court.

Via Pontica Foundation has joined an open letter addressed to the European Council, calling for the immediate cessation of the production and export of banned and hazardous pesticides from the European Union. The letter, signed by dozens of organizations from around the world, emphasizes the right of all people to live in a healthy environment and to have a healthy future.

The text of the letter highlights that despite the EU’s regulatory framework, which provides some level of protection for citizens’ health and the environment, these protections are often lacking in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Farmers and workers in these countries cannot afford necessary protective equipment, leading to dramatic cases of poisoning and even suicides.

It is particularly concerning that despite the ban on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in the EU, they continue to be produced and exported to third countries. This double-standard behavior creates unfair competition for European farmers and causes significant harm to health and the environment in importing countries.

Via Pontica Foundation and the other signatory organizations are calling on the EU to fulfill its promises made in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) and the European Green Deal by implementing a ban on the export of banned pesticides. The letter urges the inclusion of this topic in the EU’s strategic program for the next legislative cycle, which will be discussed at the informal meeting of EU leaders on June 17, 2024.

The support of the letter by Via Pontica Foundation and numerous international organizations underscores the global commitment to protecting human health and the environment. The Foundation is committed to continuing its mission to restore resilient ecosystems and improve the relationship between people and nature by supporting initiatives aimed at reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and promoting safe alternatives.

Signing this letter is another step towards global change and sends a strong message to governments and companies worldwide that the use of hazardous pesticides and chemicals must be stopped everywhere. Via Pontica Foundation will continue to work actively to achieve this goal and to protect future generations.

You can read the letter here.

Urgent Request to Include Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) as a Priority Substance under the Water Framework Directive

On May 30, 2024, the Via Pontica Foundation, in collaboration with a coalition of non-governmental organizations from the Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe), sent a letter to the Deputy Permanent Representatives of the governments of the Member States to the European Union. In this letter, we call for urgent action regarding the contamination of European waters with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

The letter outlines alarming findings from our study conducted in ten EU countries, revealing significant TFA contamination in both surface and groundwater. TFA is a persistent and unregulated substance known as a “forever chemical,” posing a long-term risk to the environment and human health. European waters are exposed to considerable TFA levels, with 79% of the analyzed samples exceeding the EU Drinking Water Directive limit of 500 ng/l for total PFAS.

Particularly concerning is the fact that contamination extends beyond industrial hotspots to agricultural areas, indicating that PFAS pesticides are the primary source of this pollution. TFA contamination affects both surface and groundwater, raising serious questions about the future protection of water resources in Europe.

The letter also notes that German authorities have recently announced their intention to classify TFA as “toxic for reproduction” category 1B, based on studies reporting malformations in offspring. Additionally, TFA is classified as harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.

Given these alarming data, we urge the inclusion of TFA as a priority substance for surface waters under the Water Framework Directive, with defined limit values and monitoring obligations. We also call for support of the European Parliament’s proposal to develop an Environmental Quality Standard for “PFAS total.”

Our letter is supported by several organizations, including Ecologistas en Acción (Spain), Earth Trek (Croatia), Générations Futures (France), Global 2000 – Friends of the Earth Austria (Austria), Mouvement écologique (Luxembourg), Nature & Progrès Belgique (Belgium), Pesticide Action Network Germany (Germany), Pesticide Action Network Netherlands (Netherlands), Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Sweden), and Via Pontica Foundation (Bulgaria).

We urge immediate action to protect our water resources and the health of European citizens.

You can read the report here.

You can read the full text of the letter here.