The EU sets the global standard for pesticide regulation. However, many believe that the current approval process is in need of reform. A new legislative package aims to simplify the process. From the researchers’ perspective, the package poses significant risks to the environment and human health. In an article in the journal Science, an international research team from 27 European research institutions, led by the University of Freiburg, warns that key protective mechanisms could be weakened. At the same time, the authors highlight ways to make authorization procedures more efficient without endangering environmental and health protection. Carsten Brühl, from the RPTU, is one of the co-authors.
Continue readingTag Archives: human health
Invisible cocktails: unravelling nanoparticle pollution in urban and rural air
Every day, we inhale and exhale without a second thought. Why? Because we believe we breathe fresh air. The fresh air we hope to breathe consists of a mixture of simple gases, mainly oxygen and nitrogen. However, this air can be polluted with very different tiny particles emitted from natural sources and human (anthropogenic) activities in our day-to-day life, which might be harmful to our health. These tiny particles are known as nanoparticles. This blog post explains how nanoparticles are released in our environment, their sources, how they end up in the air we breathe, the nanoparticle cocktail in urban and rural areas, and their potentially harmful effects on humans and the environment.
Continue readingDoctoral student in Chemistry or Biology at Örebro University
Örebro University and the School of Science and Technology are looking for a doctoral student for the doctoral programme in chemistry or biology, concluding with a doctoral degree.
Research position in Environmental Risk Assessment at UBA
The German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) is hiring a researcher to assess environmental risks of pharmaceuticals used in human health care and veterinary care, with focus on ecotoxicology and risk mitigation.
Continue reading3 PhD positions in toxicity of plastics at NTNU
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is offering three PhD positions in environmental toxicity of plastics.
Continue readingFree IIES E-Course: Air Pollution & Human Health
The International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES) offers a free online seminar series entitled “Air Pollution & Human Health”, running every Wednesday from February 20, 2019, to May 2, 2019.
Continue readingPhD opportunity in Analytical Chemistry at VU Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a PhD position in analytical chemistry with focus on human health and exposure assessment, embedded in their graduate program on Antimicrobial Research and Resistance.
Free IIES E-Course: Environmental & Human Health Risk Assessment
The International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES) offers a free e-course entitled “Environmental & Human Health Risk Assessment”, running every Wednesday from October 24, 2018, to January 16, 2019.
SERIOR public lecture on chemical mixtures & their risks for humans and environment on July 3rd
The German/French Graduate Academy “Security-Risk-Orientation” (SERIOR) is hosting a public lecture on chemical mixtures and their risks for humans and the environment at Campus Landau on July 3rd, 2018.
Costa Rica: A tropical e(coto)xperience – Part 2
In this series of posts, Carsten Brühl reports about his current trip to Costa Rica. Part 2 is all about his host Clemens Ruepert who is an experienced environmental analytical chemist at the Regional Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances of the National University of Costa Rica.