So far limit values for pollutants in sewage sludge or soils were based on background concentrations and set with the explicit political intention to avoid adverse effects. It will never be possible to derive limit values solely from scientific research. Limiting pollution so far always resulted in improvements of the environmental situation. Accordingly the continuing development of regulations is a very important matter, especially when regarded from an integrative point of view. The study tries to contribute to this attempt. We thank all the experts who helped us by sending literature, especially Prof. Dr. Leschber and the Joint Research Centre.
