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(T/EH098) Environmental concentrations and safety of the organic UV filter octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) in surface waters. Sabaliunas, Darius 1, Webb, Simon2, Peeters, Stephane2, Eckhoff, William3, 1 2 3 ABSTRACT- Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) is an organic UVB filter widely used in a variety of cosmetic products. As other cosmetic ingredients, it mainly enters the environment through the down-the-drain disposal of cosmetic products. Recently, there have been reports indicating the presence of various UV filters, including OMC, in lake water, fish and human breast milk. These findings have raised concerns over the environmental safety of OMC. In the current study, we measured the concentrations and removal of OMC in a trickling filter and activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the River Aire Basin in the UK. Further, the loss of OMC in the river water was measured using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) deployed at various distances downstream from the wastewater treatment plant discharge point. The removal rates and the measured environmental loadings of OMC were used in the GREAT-ER (Geography-referenced regional exposure assessment tool for European rivers) model to predict the site-specific distribution of concentrations of this chemical in the Aire Basin. The measured WWTP removal rates of OMC were in the range of 70-90%, with further losses in the river water, as could be expected for a readily biodegradable chemical. Based on the predicted environmental concentrations of OMC (<0.5 ug/L) and its low toxicity, large environmental safety margins can be demonstrated for this chemical in the aquatic environment. Key words: monitoring, fate, GREAT-ER, SPMDs |
