Options for Mitigation: An Overview of Measures

Historically, the focus concerning emissions of xenobiotics has been on industrial effluents and point sources, but nowadays there is a recognition of the existence of diffuse emissions of hazardous substances from many different sources, including materials and consumer goods. In this chapter different mitigation strategies against such emissions are discussed. Mitigation is here defined as upstream source control. Removal of xenobiotics by sewage treatment methods is not covered. The main focus is on the options that national, regional and local authorities have to reduce emissions of hazardous substances at their sources but other actors, such as businesses and non-governmental organisations, are also discussed. The tools for mitigation include green procurement, use of current legislation, voluntary agreements, cooperation, financial initiatives, information campaigns, ecolabelling, etc. Examples of each tool are given and follow-up and costs are discussed.