News & Publications

When it comes to the release of hazardous substances from roads into the environment, the focus is increasingly shifting from traditional pollutants and particles to novel, and in some cases unknown, substances. The Ecotox Centre is investigating the ecotoxicological effects of road runoff and tire wear and is attempting to identify the most critical substances.

The Ecotox Centre has analysed Swiss birds of prey for residues of rodenticides. The results are worrying: 92% of the buzzards and kestrels examined were contaminated with these persistent substances. Whilst direct deaths from poisoning were rare, the high level of sublethal contamination raises questions about the long-term health of our native birds of prey.

Soils at contaminated military sites contain numerous chemicals of ecotoxicological concern. A case study shows that an assessment based solely on chemical analyses falls short and cannot adequately predict toxicity. Additional bioassays and bioavailability measurements are necessary to comprehensively assess soil quality.