Potential applications of passive sampling for monitoring non-polar industrial pollutants in the aqueous environment in support of REACH

Possible roles of passive sampling within the context of the European REACH legislation are discussed. Passive samplers can provide information on environmental concentrations, fate and behaviour of substances of concern. They can potentially replace biota in the assessment of bioavailability, having advantages including lower cost and variability, and greater repeatability and acceptability on ethical grounds. Where remedial actions (e.g., product withdrawal, replacement or redesign) may be required, wrong decisions are potentially very costly. Against this background it may be possible to develop strategies based on passive sampling that will protect the environment from potential damage whilst minimising operational costs.