NORMAN Association : A network approach to scientific collaboration on emerging contaminants and their transformation products in europe

Abstract : Mixtures of parent compounds and their transformation products (TPs) cause additional adverse effects due to aspects of mixture toxicity. Emerging contaminants (ECs) are a field of increasing interest in environmental research and monitoring. Recent research studies have led to the development and testing of new assessment and modelling tools that help to link chemical contamination with observed deterioration of ecological quality. The main mission of the NORMAN network is to enhance the exchange of information and collection of data on ECs, and encourage validation and harmonisation of measurement methods and monitoring tools. Toxicity profiles can be used in combination with effect-directed analysis (EDA) or toxicity identification and evaluation (TIE) approaches for establishing cause-effect relationships. A major achievement of the NORMAN experts was the publication in 2009 of a common European protocol for the validation of methods for the monitoring and bio-monitoring of ECs in environmental matrices.