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Why persistence matters

This ECHA science seminar features Professor Martin Scheringer from Masaryk University and ETH Zurich, exploring the critical role of persistence in chemical risk assessment and regulation. With over 30 years of experience in environmental chemistry, Professor Scheringer presents a compelling case for why persistence matters, scientifically, environmentally, and politically. The video begins with an introduction to the concept of persistence as a fundamental property of chemicals, influencing their environmental fate and long-term impact. Professor Scheringer outlines the historical development of persistence as a regulatory concern, tracing key milestones from the discovery of PCBs in marine life to the global spread of PFAS and the establishment of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The seminar highlights key scientific and regulatory challenges: • The legacy of persistent chemicals like PCBs and CFCs, and their long-term environmental and health impacts. • The emergence of PFAS as paradigmatic persistent chemicals, resistant to degradation due to strong carbon-fluorine bonds. • The limitations and variability of current persistence testing methods and the need for improved experimental and in silico tools. • The role of machine learning in predicting biodegradability and the challenges posed by noisy and inconsistent data. • The importance of applying the precautionary principle in regulatory decisions when faced with conflicting persistence data. • The argument for a “P-sufficient” approach: regulating substances based on persistence alone when warranted. Professor Scheringer also discusses the broader implications of persistence, including its role in amplifying toxicity, enabling global distribution, and contributing to chronic exposure and long-term ecological harm. He advocates for a shift in regulatory thinking, where persistence is prioritised as a standalone criterion for action. This seminar is essential viewing for scientists, regulators, and policymakers involved in chemical safety, environmental protection, and public health. It offers a thought-provoking perspective on how we assess and manage persistent substances in a rapidly changing world. Our science seminars cover a wide range of topics related to chemical safety, regulatory science, and innovative research in the field of chemicals management, focusing on human health and the environment. They aim to establish the regulatory relevance and uptake of research for ECHA’s scientific work. More: https://echa.europa.eu/science ************** Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/321VQgE Subscribe to our Safer Chemicals Podcast: https://echa.europa.eu/podcasts Subscribe to our news: https://echa.europa.eu/subscribe Follow us on: *LinkedIn:   / european-chemicals-agency   *X: https://x.com/EU_ECHA *BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/echa.europa.eu *Facebook:   / euecha   *Instagram:   / onehealth_eu   Visit our website: https://echa.europa.eu/ Disclaimer: Views expressed by presenters do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.