ReFoPlan 2024: “Assessment of endocrine effects of construction products in the environment”
German Environment Agency, FKZ 3724 37 701 0, Duration 12/2024 – 3/2027
Endocrine Disruptors (EDs) are substances that interfere with the hormonal systems of humans and animals, potentially causing harmful effects on vital processes such as reproduction, growth, and development. Even at very low concentrations, these chemicals can impact the endocrine system. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are components of many synthetically manufactured products, including various construction materials, which are being investigated in this research project. Often, it is unclear which chemicals are responsible for hormonal activity, as construction products have not been tested for these effects. A more thorough investigation of these risks and the promotion of safer alternatives aims to reduce EDC exposure and support the EU’s circular economy and zero pollution strategy.
The aim of this research project is to analyze EDC-related risks in construction products used in outdoor applications. The assessment follows the principles of DIN CEN/TS 17459:2023-02, which describes the testing of the ecotoxicity of eluates from construction materials but does not currently include an endocrine disruption test. Therefore, the project will first examine whether existing standardized endocrine tests are suitable for assessing construction product eluates. Based on these findings, recommendations will be developed for adapting DIN CEN/TS 17459 and integrating endocrine disruption testing into the Blue Angel Basic Award Criteria for construction products to help identify safer alternatives.
Work Package 1 includes a literature review on endocrine tests for aqueous samples and hormonally active substances in construction materials used in outdoor applications. This serves as the basis for the testing program in Work Package 2, which will cover 20 construction products and four laboratory tests for detecting endocrine activity. Product
selection is based on environmental relevance, while the test selection considers both acute and chronic effects, as well as scientific, practical, and economic feasibility.
In addition to the standard testing of mixed eluate fractions 1+2 (0–6 h and 6–24 h) from the Dynamic Surface Leaching Test (DSLT) according to DIN EN 16637-2, the final fraction (fraction 8) from the 64-day DSLT test will also be analyzed for two selected construction products. If two products indicate endocrine effects, the test program will be expanded to include the full ecotoxicological and genotoxicological test battery according to DIN CEN/TS 17459, allowing comparisons with established methods. Additionally, a chemical analysis of the eluates from affected products will be conducted using either non-target screening or quantitative determination of relevant formulation components.
In Work Package 3, recommendations for standardization and the further development of the Blue Angel Basic Award Criteria will be derived from the WP 2 results. If necessary, specific text proposals for amending CEN/TS 17459 to include an endocrine test will be formulated.
Sponsor
German Environmental Agency (FKZ 3724 37 701 0)
Realisation
Hydrotox GmbH, Freiburg, Martina Springmann, Elena Perabo, Dr. Christoph Hafner
BioDetection Systems b.v. (BDS), Dr. Peter Behnisch
Water Technology Center Karlsruhe (TZW), Dr. Lea Bayer, Dr. Nicole Zumbülte, Dr. Oliver Happel
Project duration
December 2024 – March 2027
Project description
Endocrine Disruptors (EDs) are substances that interfere with the hormonal systems of humans and animals, potentially causing harmful effects on vital processes such as reproduction, growth, and development. Even at very low concentrations, these chemicals can impact the endocrine system. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are components of many synthetically manufactured products, including various construction materials, which are being investigated in this research project. Often, it is unclear which chemicals are responsible for hormonal activity, as construction products have not been tested for these effects. A more thorough investigation of these risks and the promotion of safer alternatives aims to reduce EDC exposure and support the EU’s circular economy and zero pollution strategy.
The aim of this research project is to analyze EDC-related risks in construction products used in outdoor applications. The assessment follows the principles of DIN CEN/TS 17459:2023-02, which describes the testing of the ecotoxicity of eluates from construction materials but does not currently include an endocrine disruption test. Therefore, the project will first examine whether existing standardized endocrine tests are suitable for assessing construction product eluates. Based on these findings, recommendations will be developed for adapting DIN CEN/TS 17459 and integrating endocrine disruption testing into the Blue Angel Basic Award Criteria for construction products to help identify safer alternatives.
Work Package 1 includes a literature review on endocrine tests for aqueous samples and hormonally active substances in construction materials used in outdoor applications. This serves as the basis for the testing program in Work Package 2, which will cover 20 construction products and four laboratory tests for detecting endocrine activity. Product
selection is based on environmental relevance, while the test selection considers both acute and chronic effects, as well as scientific, practical, and economic feasibility.
In addition to the standard testing of mixed eluate fractions 1+2 (0–6 h and 6–24 h) from the Dynamic Surface Leaching Test (DSLT) according to DIN EN 16637-2, the final fraction (fraction 8) from the 64-day DSLT test will also be analyzed for two selected construction products. If two products indicate endocrine effects, the test program will be expanded to include the full ecotoxicological and genotoxicological test battery according to DIN CEN/TS 17459, allowing comparisons with established methods. Additionally, a chemical analysis of the eluates from affected products will be conducted using either non-target screening or quantitative determination of relevant formulation components.
In Work Package 3, recommendations for standardization and the further development of the Blue Angel Basic Award Criteria will be derived from the WP 2 results. If necessary, specific text proposals for amending CEN/TS 17459 to include an endocrine test will be formulated.
Contact person at Hydrotox
Martina Springmann
Hydrotox GmbH
Bötzinger Str. 29
D-79111 Freiburg
Tel.: +49-761- 4 55 12-20
E-Mail: springmann(at)hydrotox.de