SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting

1.15 - Challenges and Innovations in Assessing Chemicals and Mixtures with Difficult-to-Test Properties for Environmental Risk

Description

This session focuses on the critical challenges associated with the characterization, testing, and regulatory assessment of chemicals and mixtures with difficult-to-test properties, including ionic chemicals, surfactants, chelates, reactive chemicals, super-hydrophobic compounds, organometals, polymers and UVCBs.

1. Innovative characterization approaches
UVCBs contain a complex mixture of constituents with variable compositions, making their characterization challenging. Traditional analytical methods may not adequately identify and quantify all components. Submissions are welcomed highlighting innovative characterization approaches, including high-res mass-spec and NMR.
2. Challenges in Environmental Fate Testing
The inherent properties of some chemicals (e.g. ionizables, surfactants) complicates environmental behavior. For UVCBs, the variability in chemical properties among constituents complicate establishing reliable fate and behavior predictions essential for accurate risk assessment. We seek submissions addressing the inherent difficulties in designing and executing fate studies, including identification of degradation products.
3. Ecotoxicological Testing Challenges
Ecotox testing of difficult-to-test substances presents unique challenges due to difficulties in maintaining exposure and interactions with the test system components or among constituents. We welcome submissions exploring limitations of standard ecotox test methods, as well as innovative testing strategies to better capture the ecological hazard.
4. Regulatory Challenges in Hazard and Risk Assessment
The regulatory landscape for assessing difficult-to-test substances is fraught with challenges. Existing guidelines developed for well-defined chemicals may not be directly applicable. Participants are invited to share insights on navigating these challenges by using innovative alternative methods or tools, including NAMs, computational modeling such as QSARs, the use of grouping and category approaches, and the integration of test data in a weight-of-evidence framework.
This session aims to foster collaboration among regulators, industry, and researchers to address the complexities associated with the assessment of difficult-to-test substances in environmental risk contexts. By sharing innovative strategies and experiences, we hope to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of hazard and risk assessments for these challenging chemicals.