Environment

Joint cooperation between ATO producers and users in the Antimony Trioxide Stakeholders group (ATOS) has led to environmental studies being performed to ensure that real data are the basis for the EU assessment’s calculation of potential risk to soil, sediment and waste water treatment.

A first in-depth discussion at TC NES took place in November 2005 and a second in March 2007, to discuss the 2^nd and 3^rd draft Risk Assessment report for environment respectively. Further soil test are planned to start in June 2007. Final results will be available end September 2007. A final discussion at TC NES is foreseen for end 2007. IAOIA does not expect any substantial risks remaining for the environmental Risk Assessment report of ATO.

The expected outcome of the next Risk Assessment report is the following:

·          All risks have been removed for the producers of ATO.

·          All risks have been removed for most of the downstream user sectors.

·          Risks to soil and sediment might remain however for the textile sector.

·          Further discussion with the EU Member States and new studies on plants and invertebrates will determine the PNEC for soil by the end of 2007.

·          To try to turn remaining conclusion i (further information needed) into conclusion ii (no risks) data on river flow rates and confirmation that sludge is not spread to agricultural land will need to be gathered from the textile industry.

Antimony trioxide does not require labelling with R phrases that indicate toxicity to the aquatic environment. It was decided by the EU Member States at an environmental classification and labelling meeting in April 2006 that ATO DOES NOT need to be labelled with R52/53; so ecotox classification is not needed, nor is labelling required.

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