With its working groups, the Division provides a forum for the promotion of environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology. The following working groups currently exist:

The working group is mainly concerned with tropospheric chemistry and the influence of anthropogenic (e.g. air traffic) and natural (e.g. desert dusts) emissions on the composition of the air and their effect on the climate. Increasing attention is also being paid to the chemistry of the condensed phase, particle formation and photochemistry in cloud droplets, long-range transport and the atmospheric degradation of pesticides and semi-volatile chemicals. Members of the working group also play a key role in the GDCh/DECHEMA/DBG Joint Committee on Chemistry, Air Quality and Climate (photooxidants, halogenated hydrocarbons) and in the DECHEMA, KRdL and GDCh expert group on particulate matter.

Working-Group Atmospheric Chemistry

The working group sees its task as supporting the ongoing amendment of the Soil Protection Ordinance (BBodSchV) by transferring relevant scientific findings and practical experience to legislative bodies. Conversely, it also offers assistance and initiates scientific research with questions from higher-level committees. The working group will begin its work with the topic of the future assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil, in particular with the current amendment proposal, which is currently the subject of much controversy. This should also take into account the substances beyond the 16 EPA PAHs and PAH transformation products that have received less attention to date.

The work focuses on the exchange of experiences in the implementation of the REACh Regulation, in particular on the topics of exposure, persistence, ecotoxicology, toxicology and risk assessment. In addition to industrial chemicals, the working group also focuses on the evaluation of biocides and pharmaceuticals, and new topics from research are presented on a regular basis.

Working-Group Chemical Assessment

The working group brings together scientists from various disciplines to exchange experiences and contribute to the continuous improvement of the quality of environmental monitoring. Priority topics are discussed at two to three meetings each year. A particular concern is to make the monitoring data collected usable.