Thanks to increasingly sophisticated analytical techniques, we are able to detect a wide range of active ingredients in ever-smaller quantities. Furthermore, ecotoxicological tests and environmental risk assessment methods allow us to understand the impact of individual micro-pollutants on surface water ecosystems. All this data serves two purposes: firstly, it informs lawmakers, leading to priority pollutants being included in European legislation. Secondly, it provides feedback to professionals in the pharmaceutical industry and medicine regarding drug design and usage.
