Working Groups
The Division currently has four working groups. The chairs of the working groups are ex officio members of the extended Board of the Division, which meets once a year for the meeting of the extended Board.
The working group focuses on tropospheric chemistry and the influence of anthropogenic (e.g. aviation) and natural (e.g. desert dust) emissions on the composition of the air and their impact on the climate. Increasing attention is also being paid to the chemistry of the condensed phase, particle formation and photochemistry in cloud droplets, the long-range transport and atmospheric degradation of pesticides and semi-volatile chemicals.
The working group conveys relevant scientific findings and practical experience to legislative bodies. Conversely, it also provides assistance and initiates scientific research based on questions from higher-level bodies.
The main focus of the work is on exchanging experiences in implementing the REACH Regulation, particularly on the topics of exposure, persistence, ecotoxicology, toxicology and risk assessment. In addition to industrial chemicals, the assessment of biocides and medicinal products is a focus, and current research topics are presented regularly.
Scientists from various disciplines are involved in the working group in order to exchange experiences and develop contributions to the continuous improvement of the quality of environmental observation. Key topics are discussed at two to three meetings each year. A particular concern is making the monitoring data collected usable.