Households as emission source for biocidal active substances in urban environments

A wide variety of biocidal active substances that fall under the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012 (BPR) are designated for the use in households. It is obvious that they are used in biocidal products like insect repellents or disinfectants but the same substances can also be ingredients of other products. For example, preservatives in personal care products do not fall under the BPR but under the Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. The objectives of the work presented here are
(i) to identify the biocidal active substances that can be found in households and
(ii) to show the product categories they are used in.
With this knowledge target-oriented monitoring of biocidal active substances in domestic wastewater can be improved and the origin of the emissions can be identified to enable emission reduction measures at the source.

Face-to-face interviews were conducted in 94 households in a selected study site in Germany to obtain detailed information and data on the different uses of biocidal active substances. Members of private households were interviewed using a standardised questionnaire regarding the use of biocidal products, plant protection products, washing and cleaning agents and personal care products. The products that were present in the households were registered with the help of a barcode reader. During the interviews emphasis was laid on the use of a wide selection of products that might enter the sewage system to record the biocidal active substances used in other regulatory backgrounds.
Results show that a high variety of biocidal active substances can be found in products present in the households. However, they are not primarily found in biocidal products but in personal care products or washing and cleaning agents. Herewith, the study extends the knowledge on the potential sources of biocidal active substances in domestic wastewater and demonstrates how they distribute over the different regulatory areas.