Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

2.06 - Higher Tier Testing and Risk Assessment for Aquatic Organisms

Description

Keywords: Aquatic, Pesticides /Plant Protection Products, Regulatory Science

Aquatic organisms can potentially be exposed to plant protection products (PPPs), biocides and general chemicals via numerous exposure routes. In the case of PPPs, drainage, runoff and drift can lead to contamination of edge of field water bodies, triggering the need for an ecological risk assessment under Regulation (EC) 1107/2009. Ecological risk assessments e.g. under REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006), are similarly required for different chemical groups.

Whilst the current guidance document used for the aquatic risk assessment of PPPs (AGD) in the European Union (and GB) is widely recognized as a well-constructed document, it was adopted in 2013. Recent advancements in regulatory science have created an opportunity to revisit elements of the guidance that would support the adoption of a more cohesive and state-of-the-art approach to higher-tier aquatic risk assessment.

The aim of this session is to revisit experimental higher-tier approaches included in the AGD and other related guidance, e.g. geomean, SSDs, modified exposure testing, links to effect modelling and mesocosm studies. In particular, this could include ideas for a paradigm shift where exposure, effects, mixture toxicity, biodiversity, natural variability and scale are better integrated within the risk assessment.

For example, the usefulness and application of mesocosm studies in risk assessment could be improved by considering both exposure and effect modelling in an integrated approach to bridge across different scenarios and deliver added value in informing on environmental risks. Additionally, biodiversity is a critical consideration for environmental health, and we would like to hear perspectives related to how biodiversity targets can be integrated within a new approach to risk assessment. These are only two examples from a broad scope of interest.

Although this session is primarily focused on PPPs, the discussion is equally relevant to other chemical classes and the chairs welcome different perspectives, and lessons learned, from a wide background to support an inclusive and fascinating session.

This session is supported by a group of SETAC members who intend to establish a new SETAC Europe Interest Group on Aquatic Higher Tier Testing, to share knowledge and expertise towards advancing the risk assessment of chemicals within the European regulatory framework.

Chairs

Seamus Taylor ADAMA Agan Ltd United Kingdom
Tido Strauss gaiac Research Institute Germany
Udo Hommen Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) Germany
Silvia Mohr German Environment Agency (UBA) Germany