19th International Conference on Chemistry and the Environment

Environmental Chemistry for Sustainability

Belgrade, Serbia, June 8-12, 2025

Satellite Events

Pre-Confrence ICCE 2025 Satellite Events – HALF DAY

SEH1: Sunday, June 8, 2025 (9-12h)

Convenor: Roland Kallenborn (NMBU, NO)
Title: Polymer additives and associated chemicals: Environmental fate and exposure risks

A variety of chemicals are commonly added to polymers to enhance their applicability in commercial products. These additives serve various functions, including flame retardancy, plasticization, coloration, UV filtering, and more. By incorporating these chemicals, polymers become versatile and adaptable for use in a wide range of modern applications.

However, the large waste volumes associated with polymer use, along with documented releases of additives into the environment, necessitate careful control and monitoring. Plastic additives, such as plasticizers, flame retardants, and stabilizers, can leach into soil, water, and air. Their presence may disrupt ecosystem functions, affecting aquatic life, soil organisms, and wildlife. Therefore, long-term monitoring is essential to assess their impact and implement necessary mitigation measures.

Moreover, potential human exposure to these additives through commercial products cannot be ignored. Some plastic additives have toxic properties, and exposure via contaminated water or food can pose health risks. Monitoring efforts ensure early detection and minimize potential harm to human health.

Additionally, plastic additives can persist in the environment and accumulate throughout the food chain. To address this, it is crucial to establish a reliable scientific knowledge base for sustainable regulation. Comprehensive strategies will empower authorities to enforce limits on specific additives, preventing excessive release and safeguarding the environment.

The upcoming satellite event, “Polymer Additives and Associated Chemicals: Environmental Fate and Exposure Risks,” will provide a valuable platform for scientists and regulators to discuss the consequences of plastic additives in the environment and explore future mitigation strategies. Join us for this inspiring event!

SEH2: Sunday, June 8, 2025 (9-12h)

Convenors: Ester Heath (Jozef Stefan Institute, SLO) and Despo Fatta-Kassinos (NIREAS, Cyprus)
Title: Transforming Wastewater Treatment Plants into Recovery Facilities: Innovations, Challenges and Sustainable Pathways

At the cutting edge of resource recovery, WasteWater Treatment Plants (WWTPs), increasingly referred to as Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs), aim to transform what was once wastewater into a stream of valuable resources. These facilities aim to recover water for reuse in non-potable applications such as irrigation and industrial processes, generate energy, derived from the capture of biogas during sludge digestion, recycle nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus and turn them into fertilizers, organic matter that can be turned into compost or other bio-based products, and minerals like phosphorus for agricultural use, supporting a circular economy.
This satellite event will focus on the latest developments in water reuse regulations, resource recovery, and the associated challenges. Key topics include the uptake and translocation contaminants of emerging concern, antimicrobial resistance, and approaches for pollutant modelling and prioritization in risk assessment. The event will conclude by offering potential pathways to address these challenges and offer sustainable solutions.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:

  • Dr Roberta Maffetone, European Commission, Joint Research Centre: “Fostering water reuse in the EU: regulatory framework and risk management”
  • Prof Dr Francesco Fatone, Civil, Environmental, Building and Architectural Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Marche (Italy): “Resource recovery from water in EU funded innovation actions and perspective within the new urban wastewater treatment directive”
  • Prof Dr Paola Verlicchi, Department of Engineering University of Ferrara, Italy: “Selection of indicator contaminants of emerging concern when reusing reclaimed water for irrigation purposes – Current approaches”
  • Prof Dr Manuela Antonelli, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy: “Managing contaminants of emerging concern for wastewater reuse in agriculture: integrated approaches to reduce environmental and human health risk”
  • Prof Dr Thomas Berendonk, Department of Hydrosciences, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany: “Antimicrobial Resistance in water resources, indicators and implications for irrigation water quality”
  • Dr Janja Vidmar, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute: “Micro- and Nanoplastics in Wastewater: Analytical Challenges, Removal Technologies, and Implications for Reuse in Agriculture”

SEH3: Sunday, June 8, 2025 (9-12h)

Convenor: Philippe Garrigues (University of Bordeaux, FR)
Title: How to be successful in scientific publishing

This short course is designed to assist scientists, junior and senior in writing successful scientific papers for dedicated journals to build their professional career. The courses will show to the participants how to prepare good papers and how they can be written. It will present advices and comments for overcoming usual and common obstacles such as targeting journals, finding an attractive entry for the manuscript, presenting tables and data, writing a fruitful discussion. This course was designed with the help of scientists and researchers involved in scientific publishing in environmental sciences. The target audience includes scientific writers from undergraduate/doctorate level up to senior experienced scientists who strive to improve their written communication skills. A section will be also dedicated to post-publication review and its influence on the assessment of scientific journals.

SEH4: Sunday, June 8, 2025 (13-16h)

Convenor: Bojan Radak (University of Belgrade, Serbia)
Title: From lab to landscape: Green chemistry’s role in sustainable innovation- a panel discussion on the challenges, successes and the state of presence of green chemistry in sustainable innovation today

Green chemistry, as a concept, has been with us for more than a quarter of century. It is interesting to recap how it fares nowadays, and how the idea has evolved into various forms, granting additional quality to other concepts of sustainability of the modern world. Also, since the concept has moved on from only the lab environment, we should discuss about the acceptance and forms of incorporation into modern economy – and, of course, obstacles along the way. A substantial component of applying the new approach to industry is innovation. The world needs a huge amount of new sustainable technology solutions in order to replace the traditional ones. This puts innovation at the front of priority activities, so let us hear various experiences and opinions on how this is treated.
(More information to come)

SEH5: Sunday, June 8, 2025 (13-16h)

Convenors: Roland Kallenborn (NMBU, NO) and Antonio Marcomini (University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, IT)
Title: Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances: New strategies of regulation and monitoring

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” have become a significant environmental and public health concern due to their persistence and bioaccumulative nature. This satellite event will delve into the latest developments in PFAS regulation and explore diverse perspectives on managing their impact. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used in various industrial and consumer products due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. These chemicals are highly persistent in the environment and human body, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” PFAS contamination is widespread, affecting water, soil, and air, and has been linked to adverse health effects such as cancer, liver damage, and immune system disruption.

Key Topics of the satellite event:

  • Overview of PFAS: Understanding the origins, uses, and environmental persistence of PFAS.
  • Health and Environmental Impacts: Examining the ecological and health risks associated with PFAS exposure.
  • Recent Regulatory Changes: Discussing new federal and state regulations, including the EPA’s first-ever national drinking water standards for PFAS.
  • Industry Compliance and Challenges: Exploring the implications of new regulations for industries and the compliance challenges they face.
  • Remediation and Mitigation Strategies: Highlighting innovative approaches and technologies for PFAS detection, treatment, and cleanup.
  • Future Perspectives: Considering the future of PFAS regulation and the ongoing efforts to protect public health and the environment.

Regulation strategies will be discussed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established new drinking water standards, setting maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for six PFAS compounds, including PFOA and PFOS, at four parts per trillion (PPT). The European Union is working on comprehensive regulations to phase out PFAS in non-essential uses by 2030, focusing on reducing environmental and health impacts.

Join us for an insightful event that brings together experts from various fields to discuss the evolving landscape of PFAS regulation and its broader implications. Whether you are a policymaker, industry professional, or concerned citizen, this session will provide valuable insights and foster meaningful dialogue on addressing PFAS contamination.