We're excited to share our latest research from the #SPRINT project: a detailed study on evaluating the risks of plant protection products (PPPs) in water and sediment environments. 💦

This paper introduces an innovative methodology for identifying high-priority PPP mixtures, targeting both water and sediment habitats near agricultural areas.

Full paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724074795?dgcid=author#s0060 

🔹 Key Findings:
There are significant differences in PPP risk rankings based on the approach—European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) vs. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
The EFSA approach was found to offer a more balanced risk assessment by reducing the chances of risk overestimation.
The findings underline the importance of standardising PPP mixture risk assessments to improve ecological safety.
🔹 Methodology Overview: Using data from European and Argentinian case studies, we quantified PPPs in 64 water bodies and sediments. Analytical methods like liquid and gas chromatography helped identify concerning PPPs, which were then ranked by risk quotient and frequency of detection. The top-ranking PPPs were prioritised for further ecotoxicological testing in aquatic ecosystems.
🔹 Implications: This research provides a crucial step towards harmonised guidelines for evaluating PPP mixtures. Adopting a standardised approach could improve ecological outcomes by aligning risk assessments with actual environmental impacts, supporting sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. 🌍

Authors: Nelson Abrantes, Joana Pereira, Ana Belén Muñiz González, Isabel Campos, Irene Navarro, Adrian De la Torre, María Ángeles Martínez Rodríguez, Rima Osman, Chrow Khurshid, Paula Harkes, Esperanza Huerta Lwanga, Francisco Alcón, Josefa Contreras, Isabelle Baldi, Mathilde Bureau, Abdallah Alaoui, Florian Christ, Daniele Mandrioli, Daria Sgargi, Igor Pasković, Marija Polić Pasković, Matjaž Glavan, Jakub Hofman, Trine Nørgaard, Virginia Aparicio, and Vera Silva.