This paper focuses on research concerning the ecotoxicological properties of granulated slag from the pilot production of gray iron with red mud addition and concrete composites with the application of this slag. Red mud is a hazardous waste generated in the production of aluminium oxide. Negative ecotoxicological tests are, therefore, one of the basic prerequisites for the ability to use granulated slag from gray iron pilot production. Granulated slag and concrete composite samples with various ratios of granulated slag have been subject to ecotoxicity tests: determining root growth inhibition in the highly-cultivated plant Sinapis alba, and determining acute toxicity in Daphnia magna. The results of ecotoxicological testing of granulated slag from gray iron standard production and gray iron pilot production with the additive were, according to the standard (STN 83 8303), negative. Additionally, the results of ecotoxicological tests of concrete composites were negative, with the exception of a 50% substitution of fine aggregate with slag from gray iron pilot production.

In order to keep the home and occupational environment clean and non-infectious, the consumption of cleaners and disinfectants, including cosmetics, is increasing. Excessive use of these products results in their accumulation in the aquatic environment. Conventional wastewater treatment plants are unable to effectively remove the emergent pollutants, including personal care products. This article is focused on the monitoring of the presence of personal care products in surface waters in two river basins in the Slovak Republic, in terms of the surfactant content. Ecotoxicological evaluation of the selected samples from the monitored river basins was performed by an acute toxicity test using the test organism Daphnia magna. The monitoring results indicate the presence of personal care products in the aquatic environment which poses an ecological and environmental risk. Monitoring in the Hron and Nitra river basins confirmed contamination with the surfactants, to which the measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic contributed. The content of the surfactants in personal care products is significant, and their impact on the aquatic environment is not sufficiently monitored.

Anthropogenic activities cause the accumulation of pollutants in the aquatic environment. Conventional wastewater treatment plants do not completely remove emergent pollutants, including personal care products, in which the surfactants are an essential ingredient. The results of our study confirm the presence of the surfactants in the aquatic environment, which represents an ecological and environmental risk. It was confirmed by ecotoxicological tests (test with using Daphnia magna and Lemna minor) and the specified content of the surfactants in the samples. The content of the surfactants in personal care products is significant and their impact on the aquatic environment is not sufficiently monitored. Root wastewater treatment plants, as innovative cleaning methods, represent effective cleaning methods, which can be used as a separate object or as an object for further cleaning already cleaned water from conventional wastewater treatment plants. Purified water from these devices can be recycled and used again as utility water (according to the model presented in the article). A significant benefit from the point of view of global warming and the effect of anthropogenic activity is the saving of drinking water as a natural resource. Root wastewater treatment plants ensure the required quality of discharged water in the aquatic environment.

The article deals with the possibilities of regenerating operating fluids, assessing the composition of new, used, and regenerated oils by evaluating their toxicity and proposing the environmentally friendly regeneration method. The focus lies on two methods of regeneration of waste operating fluids: distillation and electrostatic cleaning. Oil samples, regenerated through these methods, were analyzed using gas chromatography with mass detection. The variance in composition among new, used, and regenerated oils depends on the method of regeneration. Properties of hydrocarbons exhibiting ecotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, carcinogenic, and other effects were identified using safety data sheets and databases like Pubchem, ChemicalBook. Analyzing HLP 46 oil (samples of new, unused, used and regenerated oil) revealed that the most toxic hydrocarbons (acetane, heptacosane, nonacosane) were absent after regeneration through electrostatic cleaning. Comparing the composition of operating fluids before and after regeneration, it was established that the most environmentally favorable regeneration method is electrostatic cleaning, which maintains the original properties of the operating fluids intended for use. Operating fluids regenerated via electrostatic cleaning contain fewer toxic hydrocarbons, making them more favorable concerning human health and the environment.

The article is focused on the production and environmental evaluation of wood composites using waste rubber in the construction industry. Used aqueous extracts were prepared from theexperimental wooden composites with various additions of thewaste rubber from tires and waste seals. The pH value and organic pollution (by COD) were determined in the aqueous extracts. The effect on the environmental components (aquatic and terrestrial) was ecotoxicologically tested using the test organisms Sinapis alba, Lemna minorand Daphnia magna. Preliminary acute ecotoxicity tests were performed.

Excessive consumption of cleaning and disinfecting agents, which constitute a distinct group of emergent pollutants known as PPCPs (“Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products”), results in their accumulation in aquatic environments. Conventional wastewater treatment plants are unable to effectively remove the emergent pollutants that are present, including personal care product residues. This article focuses on the determination of surfactant substances in model samples prepared from selected personal care products and their biodegradability under laboratory-created aquatic ecosystem conditions. The conducted biodegradation processes, based on the monitored indicator (surfactants) in the model samples, confirm that the utilization of aquatic vegetation and gravel substrates can efficiently eliminate the present contaminants. Insights gained from researching the biodegradability of PPCP group products are applicable, including experiences with plant compositions used in aquatic environments, particularly in the construction of root-zone wastewater treatment systems.