Inconsistent risk assessment of chemicals compromises water protection in Europe

Roads as a source of pollution: new challenges

Swiss birds of prey widely contaminated with rodenticides

How dangerous are contaminated military sites?

Dynamic pollutant carriers: The quality of suspended matter in Lake Geneva

  • Regulatory changes regarding PFAS-contaminated food and drinking water: greater priority should be given to health protection
    17. September 2026

    Regulatory changes regarding PFAS-contaminated food and drinking water: greater priority should be given to health protection

    The Ecotox Centre, together with other researchers, contributed to and coordinated a statement by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. The researchers welcome the introduction of a new maximum limit in drinking water for four critical PFAS compounds, but state that the limit is several times too high. Furthermore, they argue that the newly permitted practice of mixing highly contaminated foodstuffs is inadequate for ensuring the protection of public health.

    Read more
  • Ecotox Centre at the Scientifica science festival
    28. August 2026

    Ecotox Centre at the Scientifica science festival

    Last weekend, Alexandra Kroll supported Empa and provided the public with information on PFAS and their impact on the environment.

    Read more
  • The Ecotox Centre

    The Ecotox Centre is the Swiss competence centre for applied, practice-oriented ecotoxicology. It serves as the primary knowledge hub and discussion platform for research and development, consulting and education in that area.


    Quality Criteria for Surface Waters Test Systems Continuing Education Student Research Projects Staff

Current publications, info sheets and reports

Beauvais, R., Lafargue, O., Casado-Martinez, C., Ferrari, B. J. D., Dubois, N., & Pasche, N. (2026). Qualité des matières en suspension du Léman. Évaluation écotoxicologique et chimique. Aqua & Gas, 106(3), 38-46. , Institutional Repository
Kaegi, R., Sinnet, B., Tolu, J., Kroll, A., Bette, J., Eugster, F., … Durisch-Kaiser, E. (2026). Seltene-Erden-Elemente in Zürcher Abwasser und Gewässern. Aqua & Gas, 106(2), 32-38. , Institutional Repository
Balk, F., Lauber, E., Ferrari, B. J. D., Renaud, M., & Junghans, M. (2026). Current mixture toxicity assessments on soil organisms and applied risk assessments. Environmental Science: Advances, 5(7), 1666-1685. doi.org/10.1039/D5VA00405E , Institutional Repository

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) in the environment

Download Download in German [PDF, 394 kb] Download Download in French [PDF, 392 kb]

Pesticides: How are water monitoring and authorisation linked? Questions and answers on the feedback mechanism in force since 1 February 2023 and the example of deltamethrin

Download Download in German [PDF, 221 kb] Download Download annex in German [PDF, 133 kb]

Anticoagulant rodenticides in Swiss birds of prey

Download Download report [PDF, 2000 kb]

Évaluation écotoxicologique des sites pollués : Aperçu des méthodes disponibles pour l’évaluation des atteintes aux écosystèmes aquatiques

Download Download report [PDF, 3760 kb]