PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The chemical industry currently produces more than 70 000 different chemical products, with an estimated worldwide sales value of €5 000 000 million. Many of these substances are released into the aquatic environment, posing a serious risk for the environment and for human health. It is currently not possible to perform in-depth environmental and health risk assessments of all chemical substances in use because of the great variety of chemicals and their everyday usage. According to emergincontaminats.eu, new chemicals take time to be considered contaminants – i.e. contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), or just emerging contaminants or priority substances. The European Commission defines CECs as substances that have the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and health effects. CECs are mostly unregulated and their potential impacts are poorly understood. Health risks include impairment to the immune system, endocrine disorders, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. A better understanding of their properties, such as bioaccumulation, would lead to improved legislation on CECs.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE PRISTINE project aims to develop the PRISTINE integrated solution for removing contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from water streams. The solution, which permanently removes CECs from water, will be adaptable on a case-by-case basis to protect the environment and human health. The project thus applies zero waste and circular economy principles and helps implement existing and future CECs regulations. Its solution combines the following technologies:
- Encapsulated adsorbent technology;
- Hollow-fibre Nfmembrane; and
- AOP processes (UV-LED combined with ozonation and/or H2O2),
These technologies will be controlled and optimised by a decision support system employing AI-based soft-sensors for the online estimation of CECs concentration levels. The project specifically focuses on PFAS, pesticides, PPCPs, toxins, antibiotic resistance genes and microplastics, which have been identified by previous studies carried out in the two demonstration sites and by existing literature.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Removal of more 80% of CECs in wastewater and drinking water;
- Reduction by 30% of cost compared with comparable technologies; and
- Raised public awareness through dissemination activities.
