This is a study of the sources of alkylphenol and alkylphenol ethoxylates in wastewater, including the new observation that the main contribution is from textiles. Alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates are widely used chemicals in various applications that are partly under environmental restrictions within Europe.The study sets out to analyze the most important sources of this large group of organic compounds in an urban wastewater system. A substance flow analysis (SFA) of the technosphere in Stockholm, Sweden in 2004 was conducted, allowing a comparison of 13 groups of goods' emissions to wastewater. It was found that the groups of textiles and cleaning agents were the major sources to wastewater, while the group's personal care products and paint and lacquers give smaller contributions. The content of alkylphenol ethoxylates in goods, especially in textiles, is a most significant source and is probably valid for other urban areas as well.

Keywords:chemicals policy heavy metals industrial ecology substance flow analysis (SFA) toxic substances urban metabolism Supplementary material is available on the JIE Web site SummaryLarge stocks of metals have accumulated in the urban technosphere (i.e., the physical environment altered by human activity). To minimize health and environmental risks, attempts were begun in the 1980s to phase out the use of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). To study the effect of this attempt, we conducted substance flow analyses (SFAs) in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1995Sweden, in and in 2002Sweden, in -2003, which allow a comparison of the results over time.The SFAs showed a reduction in the stocks of Cd and Hg by approximately 25% to 30% between 1995 and 2002-2003. For Pb, the stock development was more uncertain. Cd and Hg inflow was substantially reduced during this period, but Pb inflow increased. Amounts of Cd and Pb in waste were still large, whereas Hg flows in waste were decreasing. Furthermore, although emissions of Pb decreased, Cd and Hg emissions were in the same range as in 1995.The application of SFAs has provided unique data on the accumulation of metals in the Stockholm technosphere, thus serving as a valuable indicator of how the phasing out progresses. The changes can be related to regulations, initiatives by industries and organizations, and the proactive attitude of the local environmental authorities and of the water company.

SummaryDespite phase-out policies, regulations, planning, and systematic thinking, diffuse emissions of hazardous substances from goods and materials accumulate in society. This is most pronounced in urban areas, since such emissions are related to high densities of people, services, and goods. In this study of Stockholm, Sweden, the aim is to discuss the utility of substance flow analyses (SFAs) for the urban management of hazardous substances. Several SFAs in Stockholm have been conducted during the period from 1995-2007. Eleven case studies were selected and were related to utility aspects to discover specific factors involved in the practical application of SFA. As far as ongoing environmental management is concerned, it can be stated that the SFAs' results have been implemented in several local environmental objectives. Citations and use of the SFAs show that the studies, which focus on diffuse emissions, have had a strong influence on local policy. The application of SFA in Stockholm reveals that methodology factors, type of information, local context, and method of communication may be important in the utilization of SFA in policy. In the implementation of the results of Stockholm studies, it has been a strength to have both the environmental monitoring, which indicates the existence of hazardous substances in different environmental compartments, and SFAs that map and monitor sources of emissions.

Environmental context. Reliable results of chemical analysis are crucial for a proper environmental risk assessment. The recovery of antimony concentrations in environmentally relevant samples is here shown to be most dependent on the extraction method chosen. A reported low antimony concentration in present or historical samples may be misleading for decision-makers. Abstract. Antimony is found in elevated concentrations in the roadside environment, industrial sites and generally in urban areas. An extended use of multielement analysis has produced more concentration data for metals in the environment. However, volatilisation of elements in the digestion step may be a problem as some of the certified and recommended digestion methods are performed in open vessels. The aim of the current study was to focus on wet digestion-derived problems for the analysis of volatile elements, with specific reference to Sb. Both soils and products, namely tyres and brake linings, were sampled. The samples were digested using different methods with variations in temperature, acid mix, and the use of open or closed vessels. For some methods, the recovery was <10%, indicating a need for revision of certified and recommended digestion procedures. For a multielement analysis, a closed vessel method must be used. If the aim is to study only Sb, a wet-digestion method optimised for Sb is the natural choice. This may be valuable to consider when handling environmentally relevant samples such as soils contaminated with Sb from point or diffuse sources.

Environmental context. The global production and use of antimony (Sb) increase together with stocks and emissions, but there are gaps in our knowledge concerning environmental effects. Here, a reconstruction of major Sb flows in an urban area was conducted. The major emission source of Sb identified was wear of brake linings, although other sources may also be of importance, e.g. diffuse emission of flame-retarded goods. Abstract. The present study sets out to analyse the urban metal sources of Sb, by estimating the stock of Sb in use, and to present related flows and emissions in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2005. Antimony was studied with the main methodology of substance flow analysis with existing data, while chemical analysis was used as a complement. No large point sources were found reported to the authorities; hence, the dominating source for Sb is diffuse and originates from goods. The total Sb stock in Stockholm in 2005 was ~430 000 kg (range 110 000–1 700 000 kg) and the total Sb inflow was estimated at 45 000 kg year–1 (range 30 000–67 000 kg). The stock was dominated by flame-retarded goods, cable shielding, glass and accumulators. The Sb emission was estimated at ~720 kg year–1 (range 430–1200 kg year–1). Despite large uncertainties and missing data, the results supported the notion of the importance of brake linings as a source of Sb emissions (710 kg year–1), whereas other goods such as textiles (4.5 kg year–1), tyres (1.4 kg year–1), sinkers, ammunition and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and packaging were minor sources. However, flame-retarded goods are still poorly quantified and are seen as a potential emission source.