Exposure, toxicity and risk assessment of priority pollutants for regulation of circular material use

Millions of tons of residues, generated annually from waste incineration and construction and demolition activities, could form material cycles. Elevated levels of hazardous substances in these residues pose a risk to human health
and the environment. Incorrect use at inappropriate locations threatens to create new pathways and raise background levels. Robust risk assessment methodologies and guidance tailored to circular use are urgently needed to
prevent this. We will develop these in our interdisciplinary research and development project at Lund University, together with project partners and authorities. The aim is to develop tools to prevent elevated levels of hazardous substances in residues from unduly increasing actual exposure by circular use through targeted supervision and guidance.

We investigate the properties, mobility and bioavailability of primarily lead, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and copper in representative residues that are already recycled in full scale. By combining wet chemical methods with leaching tests, equilibrium modelling and bioavailability tests, we gain profound knowledge of the stability of pollutants, their environment fate, and risks to human health and the environment over time.

We develop exposure scenarios adapted to the handling and life cycle of residues with a focus on short-term exposure through dusting and long and low intensity exposure to the soil environment.

In consultation with authorities, we adapt or revise existing risk assessment models and guidelines that the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, County Administrative Boards and relevant industries have developed for
residual products in construction in the past.

In order to be able to draw general conclusions, we use reference materials such as slag industry, and historically polluted materials from Falun municipality as a common thread throughout the project.