What happens to chemicals in the environment? How do we determine whether they degrade over decades and accumulate in the food chain? Answers to these questions are provided in this lecture, which covers basic knowledge about distribution behavior, environmental analysis, abiotic and biotic degradation reactions, and toxic effects of chemicals as part of environmental chemical risk analysis.

Important organic environmental pollutants are presented. The physical and chemical basics required for understanding the environmental behavior of such pollutants are taught and deepened in exercises.

Projects on chemical assessment with the focus on the analysis and assessment of basic substance data for selected chemical classes; analysis and modelling of technical processes; characterisation of environmental and health risks. Risk assessment on the basis of quality and protection goals. Estimation of model and parameter uncertainty. Precaution and safety measures.