title: The EU-project ERAPharm. Incentives for the further development of guidance documents?
abstract: Triggered by the detection of a large variety of pharmaceuticals in surface waters, soils and groundwaters across the world (e.g. Halling-Sørensen et al. 1998, Daughton & Ternes 1999, Jones et al. 2001, Heberer 2002) and the widespread occurrence of endocrine active compounds and related effects in the environment (e.g. Purdom et al. 1994, Tyler et al. 1998, Vethaak et al. 2002), pharmaceuticals in the environment have become an issue for both the scientific and the public community. During the last few years, our understanding of the fate and effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment has progressed significantly. However, there are still a number of uncertainties concerning the effects of pharmaceuticals on the environment and the assessment of potential exposure (e.g. Hanisch et al. 2004, Salomon 2005). These uncertainties will be addressed by the EU-project 'Environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals' (ERAPharm). This project, a specific targeted research project, is carried out within the priority 'Global change and ecosystems' of the 6th framework programme of the European Union. ERAPharm has started on 1st October 2004; the project duration is three years.
authors.affiliation: ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH, Böttgerstr. 2-14, D-65439 Flörsheim/Main, Germany. th-knacker@ect.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Knacker
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duis
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ternes
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fenner
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Escher
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Römbke
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garric
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: Alistair B A
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Boxall
mesh_terms: D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005060:Europe; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis*; D016730:Program Development; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical