Das Projekt "Boosting Life Cycle Assessment Use in European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: Serving Needs of Innovative Key Sectors with Smart Methods and Tools (LCA TO GO)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Fraunhofer-Institut für Optronik, Systemtechnik und Bildauswertung durchgeführt. Objective: 'LCA to go' develops sectoral methods and tools for bio-based plastics, industrial machinery, electronics, renewable energy, sensors and smart textiles. These sectors have been chosen, as the manufacturers show a high interest in making clear the environmental benefits of their products to customers ('Green industries') and in prioritizing so they can reduce their environmental impacts. This is particularly the case for SMEs. Free webtools ('apps') will serve dedicated needs of these sectors, addressing the specifics of the technologies and implementing parameterised models, such as calculators for energy-break-even-point of photovoltaics, Product Carbon Footprints (PCF) based on technology parameters of printed circuit boards, and Key Environmental Performance Indicators (KEPIs) for smart textiles. Selected Product Category Rules will be developed to provide a robust LCA guidance for SMEs. Practically, the project website will provide an exchange of scientifically validated data templates, to assist SMEs to pass the right questions to their suppliers. Carbon Footprints are a perfect entry point for SMEs to LCA strategies. Thus, implementation of an SME-compatible PCF methodology is a key element of the project. The approaches will be tested in 7 sectoral case studies, involving suppliers, end-product manufacturers and engineering companies. Inter-linkages between the sectors (on a technical and data level) will be thoroughly addressed. A broad dissemination campaign includes a mentoring programme for 100 SMEs, which will act as showcases for others, boosting use of LCA approaches among European SMEs at large. RTD and dissemination activities will be complemented by policy recommendations and liaison with standardisation activities. The web-tools, being compatible with ILCD data and other external sources, will be made available as open source software, to be adapted to other sectors. The project will have a direct impact on sectors representing nearly 500,000 SMEs.
Das Projekt "Knowledge-based approach to develop a cULTUre of Risk prevention (KULTURISK)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von UNESCO-Organisation der Vereinten Nationen für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur durchgeführt. Objective: The extreme consequences of recent catastrophic events have highlighted that risk prevention still needs to be improved to reduce human losses and economic damages. The KULTURisk project aims at developing a culture of risk prevention by means of a comprehensive demonstration of the benefits of prevention measures. The development of a culture of risk prevention requires the improvement of our: a) memory and knowledge of past disasters; b) communication and understanding capacity of current and future hazards; c) awareness of risk and d) preparedness for future events. In order to demonstrate the advantages of prevention options, an original methodology will be developed, applied and validated using specific European case studies, including transboundary areas. The benefits of state-of-the-art prevention measures, such as early warning systems, non-structural options (e.g. mapping and planning), risk transfer strategies (e.g. insurance policy), and structural initiatives, will be demonstrated. In particular, the importance of homogenising criteria to create hazard inventories and build memory, efficient risk communication and warning methods as well as active dialogue with and between public and private stakeholders, will be highlighted. Furthermore, the outcomes of the project will be used to efficiently educate the public and train professionals in risk prevention. KULTURisk will first focus on water-related hazards as the likelihood and adverse impacts of water-related catastrophes might increase in the near future because of land-use and/or climate changes. In particular, a variety of case studies characterised by diverse socio-economic contexts, different types of water-related hazards (floods, debris flows and landslides, storm surges) and space-time scales will be utilised. Finally, the applicability of the KULTURisk approach to different types of natural hazards (e.g. earthquakes, forest fires) will also be analysed.
Das Projekt "Development and application of environmental Life Cycle Impact assessment Methods for imProved sustAinability Characterisation of Technologies (LC-IMPACT)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universiteit Nijmegen durchgeführt. Objective: LC-IMPACT is a 3-year project and its main objective is the development and application of life cycle impact assessment methods, characterisation and normalisation factors. Impact from land use, water use, marine, mineral and fossil resource use, ecotoxicity and human toxicity, and a number of non-toxic emission-related impact categories will be considered in LC-IMPACT. First, new impact assessment methods will be developed for categories that are not (commonly) included in life cycle impact assessments and categories for which model uncertainties are very high, i.e. land use, water exploitation, resource use, and noise. Second, LC-IMPACT will provide spatially explicit characterisation factors based on global scale models for land use, water exploitation, toxicants, priority air pollutants, and nutrients. Thirdly, parameter uncertainty and value choices will be assessed for impact categories with high uncertainties involved, such as ecotoxicity and human toxicity. Fourthly, ready-to-use characterisation factors will be calculated and reported. Fifthly, normalisation factors for Europe and the world will be calculated for the impact categories included. Sixthly, the improved decision support of the new characterisation factors and normalisation factors will be demonstrated in the context of the following three case studies: - Food production (fish, tomatoes, margarine) - Paper production and printing - Automobile manufacturing and operation. Finally, verification and dissemination of the new life cycle impact assessment methods and factors will be done by a portfolio of actions, such as stakeholder consultation, a project website, workshops, course developments, and training of user groups. In short, LC-IMPACT will provide improved, globally applicable life cycle impact assessment methods, characterisation and normalisation factors, that can be readily used in the daily practice of life cycle assessment studies.
Das Projekt "Development of a high throughput genomics-based test for assessing genotoxic and carcinogenic properties of chemical compounds in vitro (CARCINOGENOMICS)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), Microarray Informatics Team durchgeführt. The major aim of CARCINOGENOMICS is to develop in vitro methods for assessing the carcinogenic potential of compounds, as an alternative to current rodent bioassays for genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. The major goal is to develop a battery of mechanism-based in vitro tests accounting for various modes of carcinogenic action. These tests will be designed to cover major target organs for carcinogenic action e.g. the liver, the lung, and the kidney. The novel assays will be based on the application of 'omics' technologies (i.e. genome-wide transcriptomics as well as metabonomics) to robust in vitro systems (rat/human), thereby also exploring stem cell technology, to generate 'omic' responses from a well-defined set of model compounds causing genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Phenotypic markers for genotoxic and carcinogenic events will be assessed for the purpose of anchoring gene expression modulations, metabolic profiles and mechanism pathways. Through extensive biostatistics, literature mining, and analysis of molecular-expression datasets, differential genetic pathways will be identified capable of predicting mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis in vivo. Furthermore, generated transcriptomic and metabonomic data will be integrated into a holistic understanding of systems biology, and applied to build an iterative in silico model of chemical carcinogenesis. Subsequently, predictive gene expression profiles, typically consisting of some 150-250 genes, will be loaded onto high throughput dedicated DNA-chips, thus accelerating the analysis of transcriptomic responses by a factor of 100. It is expected that the outcome of this project will generate a platform enabling the investigation of large numbers of compounds for their genotoxic and carcinogenic potential, as envisaged under the REACH initiative. This will contribute to speeding the identification of potential harmful substances to man, while lowering costs and reducing animal tests. Prime Contractor: Maastricht, University, Health Risk Analysis and Toxicology (Grat); Maastricht, Nederland.
Das Projekt "Optimal engineering design for dependable water and power generation in remote areas using renewable energies and intelligent automation (OPEN-GAIN)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Heidelberg,Institut für Technische Informatik durchgeführt. Objective: To combat water scarcity and desertification, intensive desalination activities have been carried out in remote arid regions. However, desalting is resources and energy intensive, which are limited and expensive. Thus, water production must be increased while keeping the consumption of resources affordable. For remote arid areas, de-centralised solutions for energy and water co-production offer advantages over large central production sites. Finally, skilled personnel is normally absent in such areas, what demands dependable systems. To implement all this, a highly qualified consortium complemented by experienced subcontracting companies was established. This project offers a solution to cost optimal co-production of energy and water using renewable energy besides diesel generators. Cost optimisation is achieved through a high level of automation, which is necessary to adapt the working conditions to the strongly varying renewable energy supply, and remote maintenance. The approach is based on thorough modelling of the processes and offers a large degree of flexibility in the design to meet different production requirements. The project's work packages are so organised that high teamwork with less management effort is possible. The later transfer from R& TD to the manufacturers will lead to new products with increased benefits. Companies will reduce cost due to an optimal engineering design. They can also offer better maintenance services based on higher reliability and remote monitoring. European countries will become more familiar with the MPC regional demands. This shall lead to a decisive advantage in the international market with a better access for their products to MPC and MENA countries. The new product shall also improve the quality of life in the affected regions and MPC will obtain a better access to European R&TD; their personnel of water authorities and power suppliers shall obtain an added qualification for engineering services.
Das Projekt "Forum for researchers and regulators to meet manufacturers of toxicology test methods (ForInViTox)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Stiftung zur Förderung der Erforschung von Ersatz- und Ergänzungsmethoden zur Einschränkung von Tierversuchen durchgeführt. Research on in vitro replacement tests has been undertaken by researchers and industry in the past years with the support of the European Commission, which has resulted in an important number of scientifically sound methods and new strategies. However, the transfer of these inventions to potential users has been much slower than expected, mainly due to difficulties encountered in the transferability, official approval as well as production of test kits under conditions that meet good laboratory practice (GLP) requirements. In order to ensure that results from EC funded projects reach the desired impact, the present gap between inventions and potential users needs to be bridged. The purpose of this project is to establish a forum where representatives of manufacturers, research projects and regulatory agencies continuously get a chance to discuss how to speed up the process of making in vitro methods available for end-users. Prime Contractor: Expertradet ECB Miljokompetens AB; Sollentuna; SE.
Das Projekt "Innovative decision making for sustainable management of water in developing countries (DIM-SUM)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Institut für Siedlungswasserbau, Industriewasserwirtschaft und Gewässerschutz durchgeführt. Innovative decision making for sustainable management of water aims at providing tools needed if any integrated and participatory management of water should be carried out. Management refers in this context to its core element, the decision making process (DMP). Focusing at water supply and sanitation (as there the need is paramount), DIM-SUM will carry out one case study in one river basin in each participating partner country: Indonesia, Maharashtra-India, Malaysia and Nepal in order to evaluate and develop these tools.
Das Projekt "Quality of skin as a barrier to ultra-fine particles (NANODERM)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Leipzig, Fakultät für Physik und Geowissenschaften durchgeführt. Objective: Today' s population is increasingly exposed to ultrafine particles (less than 20 nm; e.g. Aerosil, TiO2) contained in body care and household products. Tape stripping studies and recent ion microscopy pilot studies revealed that such particles in, liposomal formulations penetrate the horny layer with large concentrations at the stratum granulosum and the possible risk of further penetration into vital tissue, especially for skin with an impaired barrier function. Here, apart from electron microscopy, high-resolution ion-microscopy techniques will be employed on skin cross-sections from biopsies (pig, human), which yield elemental maps of both the epidermis and dermis with ppm sensitivity for Ti or higher sensitivity with radiotracers (labelled TiO2) on pig skin. Pathways for percutaneous uptake and clearance will be studied. If such particles penetrate into the dermis, in-situ studies of tissue and in-vitro studies of particle-cell interactions follows.
Das Projekt "Comparison and validation of novel pyrogen tests based on the human fever reaction (HUMAN(E) PYROGEN TES)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Steinbeis-Transferzentrum, In-Vitro Pharmakologie und Toxikologie durchgeführt. Pyrogen testing is a crucial safety control of drugs as well as innovative high- tech products such as medical, cellular therapies and species-specific agents (e.g. recombinant proteins). For most biologicals, especially blood-derived drugs, the rabbit animal experiment represents still the method of choice consuming hundreds of thousands animals in the EU per year. This test is laborious, expensive, raises ethical concerns and can not be applied for some of the new products. In recent years, in Europe a number of alternative cellular assays have been developed exploiting the human fever reaction, i.e. human leukocytes release inflammatory mediators in the presence of pyrogenic contamination. The suggested network brings together the most prominent test systems for trans-national comparison and subsequent validation of the most promising models as an integrated goal-oriented problem solving approach.
Das Projekt "Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe (DAISIE)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Natural Environment Research Council, Biological Records Centre durchgeführt. Effective control of invasive alien species has been hampered by: a) the lack of monitoring for alien species at frequent enough intervals in regions of concern; b) a means to report, verify the identifications, and warn of new sightings; and c) risk assessments that predict the likelihood of a particular species becoming invasive. Europe has yet to establish a programme with the primary goal of detection, quantifying the possible risk, and warning managers before a respective alien species spreads beyond its point of initial introduction. Such a programmes should provide: - a warning system to alert regional managers, - an inventory of alien species against which invasive alien species can be determined, - a European information dissemination system, - an early detection and monitoring system for alien species. In response to these requirements, DAISIE will deliver a European 'one-stop-shop' for information on biological invasions in Europe. It will bring together: - The European Alien Species Expertise Registry: a directory of researchers and research - European Alien Species Database: including all known naturalized alien species in Europe - European Invasive Alien Species Information System: descriptions of all naturalized alien species known to be invasive in Europe - Species Distribution Maps and Spatial Analysis: Distribution maps of all invasive alien species in Europe known or suspected of having environmental or economic impacts. DAISIE will be a pivotal instrument in developing a Europe-wide strategy that encompasses both the geographical scale of the problem and unites the study of different taxa in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. DAISIE will address the need for a regional network of invasive alien species information. Prime Contractor: Natural Environment Research Council, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Swindon Wilthshire; United Kingdom.
