Towards water circular economy protection from the threat caused by persistent, mobile and toxic chemicals

NePMTune aims at gathering knowledge on the presence, sources and risks posed by persistent and mobile chemicals in the Spanish water cycle and the development of holistic tools and water treatment technologies for a better management and reduction of risks/hazards, in the frame of the water circular economy.

The terms "persistent mobile and toxic (PMT)" and "very persistent and very mobile (vPvM)" chemicals , also known as "persistent and mobile organic chemicals" (PMOCs), refers to those chemicals which persist in the environment and are polar enough to have a high mobility in the aqueous environment, thereby spreading through the water cycle and representing both a potential environmental and human (if they reach drinking water) risk, particularly if toxic. The term has been developed as an analogy to the PBT/vPvB criteria (B stands for bioaccumulative) under REACH. See e.g. the UBA website on this topic.

The project consortium is formed by three Spanish research centers and supported by several associated partners which will assist the consortium in taking decissions, obtaining samples and information.

The project NEPMTUNE is funded by the Spanish funding agency Agencia Estatal de Investigación MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the European Union through NextGeneration/PRTR funds.

Project duration: December 2022 to November 2024

Total funding: 540,500€

References: TED2021-129200B-C41, TED2021-129200B-C42 & TED2021-129200B-C43