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Veröffentlichung Sediment toxicity testing for prospective risk assessment ̶ a new framework and how to establish it(2013)There is a recognized need to design a new framework for sediment toxicity testing that meets current scientific standards and regulatory requirements, such as reliable assessment of toxicity, which prevents any harmful effects on biodiversity, a strong capability to predict population- and community-level effects, and applicability of the results to decision-making. We propose a new framework for prospective sediment toxicity testing, and suggest solutions to the key methodological challenges that hinder establishment of this framework (comparison of sensitivities, design of test batteries, consideration of different exposure routes, extrapolations to population and community levels, use of test results for decision-making). The proposed framework consists of the following three units: test-battery system, higher-tier testing systems and additional ecological modeling, and a decision support system. The key methodologies proposed to establish this framework are compound-tailored test-battery use approach, relative sensitivity distribution analysis, toxicity tests that combine bacteria and arthropods, micro- and mesocosms studies, population and community models, and model-driven decision support systems. The proposed framework, as well as the key methods mentioned above, has the potential to improve not only prospective toxicity testing for sediments, but also ecological risk assessment in general. Quelle: http://www.tandfonline.comVeröffentlichung Bioaccumulation in aquatic systems: methodological approaches, monitoring and assessment(2015)Bioaccumulation, the accumulation of a chemical in an organism relative to its level in the ambient medium, is of major environmental concern. Thus, monitoring chemical concentrations in biota are widely and increasingly used for assessing the chemical status of aquatic ecosystems. In this paper, various scientific and regulatory aspects of bioaccumulation in aquatic systems and the relevant critical issues are discussed. Monitoring chemical concentrations in biota can be used for compliance checking with regulatory directives, for identification of chemical sources or event-related environmental risk assessment. Assessing bioaccumulation in the field is challenging since many factors have to be considered that can affect the accumulation of a chemical in an organism. Passive sampling can complement biota monitoring since samplers with standardised partition properties can be used over a wide temporal and geographical range. Bioaccumulation is also assessed for regulation of chemicals of environmental concern whereby mainly data from laboratory studies on fish bioaccumulation are used. Field data can, however, provide additional important information for regulators. Strategies for bioaccumulation assessment still need to be harmonised for different regulations and groups of chemicals. To create awareness for critical issues and to mutually benefit from technical expertise and scientific findings, communication between risk assessment and monitoring communities needs to be improved. Scientists can support the establishment of new monitoring programs for bioaccumulation, e.g. in the frame of the amended European Environmental Quality Standard Directive. Quelle: http://link.springer.comVeröffentlichung Test strategy for assessing the risks of nanomaterials in the environment considering general regulatory procedures(2015)Background:
Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are marketed as a substance or mixtures and are additionally used due to their active agent properties in products such as pesticides or biocides, for which specific regulations apply. Currently, there are no specific testing strategies for environmental fate and effects of ENMs within the different regulations. An environmental test and risk assessment strategy for ENMs have been developed considering the general principles of chemical assessment.
Results:
The test strategy has been developed based on the knowledge of national and international discussions. It also takes into account the conclusions made by the OECD WPMN which held an expert meeting in January 2013. For the test strategy development, both conventional and alternative endpoints were discussed and environmental fate and effects were addressed separately.
Conclusion:
A tiered scheme as commonly used in the context of precautionary environmental risk assessment was suggested including the use of mathematical models and trigger values to either stop the procedure or proceed to the next tier. There are still several gaps which have to be filled, especially with respect to fate, to develop the test strategy further. The test strategy features a general approach. It is not specified to fulfil the information requirements of certain legislation (e.g. plant protection act, biocide regulation, REACH). However, the adaption of single elements of the strategy to the specific needs of certain legislation will provide a valuable contribution in relation to the testing of nanomaterials.Quelle: http://enveurope.springeropen.com/Veröffentlichung Improving environmental risk assessments of chemicals: Steps towards evidence-based ecotoxicology(2019) Martin, Olwenn V.; Adams, Julie; Beasley, Amy; Maack, GerdVeröffentlichung Celebrating 20 years of SETAC German Language Branch (GLB)(2019) Zubrod, Jochen P.; Düring, Rolf-Alexander; Ebke, Klaus P.; Frische, Tobias; Kehrer, AnjaThis editorial presents the objectives and achievements of the German Language Branch of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Europe (SETAC GLB), a regional branch of SETAC Europe, of the last 20 years. SETAC GLB serves Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, by providing an open forum for research related to ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry, to the sustainable management and regulation of natural resources, to education in environmental sciences, as well as to issues related to research and development, and manufacturing of chemicals and products. The editorial serves as an introduction for an article collection published in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe, providing an overview of the current state of ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry in German-speaking countries and of the main developments and key topics within SETAC GLB. The article collection was developed on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the regional branch of SETAC Europe. Quelle: https://enveurope.springeropen.comVeröffentlichung Application of the closure principle computational approach test to assess ecotoxicological field studies: comparative analysis using earthworm field test abundance data(2021) Daniels, Benjamin; Roß-Nickoll, Martina; Jänsch, Stephan; Pieper, SilviaField studies to determine the effects of chemicals on earthworm communities are generally conducted according to International Organization for Standardization standard 11268-3 (and later comments). However, statistical test procedures suggested in the guideline are frequently criticized, mainly for 2 reasons: 1) Earthworm abundances are count data and often do not fulfill requirements for multiple t tests (normal distribution and homogeneity of variance), and 2) the resulting toxicity metrics of multiple testing procedures (no/lowest-observed-effect concentrations [NOEC/LOEC]) fail to adequately detect the actual level of effects. Recently, a new method to overcome these shortcomings was presented by the introduction of the closure principle computational approach test (CPCAT). We applied this statistical method to assess chemical effects on abundance in a large dataset of 26 earthworm field studies (with up to 3 test chemical application rates) and an additional extended study with 6 application rates. A comparative analysis was provided considering results of well-established multiple testing approaches (Dunnett's test) with particular consideration of the degree of overdispersion found in these data. It was shown that the CPCAT detects substantially more effects in earthworm field tests as statistically significant than standard t test approaches. This lowered the LOEC/NOEC for many chemical treatments to control comparisons. As a consequence, the statistically detected NOECs/LOECs were often set at lower percentage deviations between control and chemical treatment. This is the first time the performance of the CPCAT has been assessed within a comprehensive analysis of earthworm field study data. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1750-1760. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. © 2021 The AuthorsVeröffentlichung The role of behavioral ecotoxicology in environmental protection(2021) Ford, Alex; Ågerstrand, Marlene; Brooks, Bryan W.; Duquesne, Sabine; Sahm, René; Gergs, René; Jacob, Stefanie; Maack, Gerd; Mohr, SilviaFor decades, we have known that chemicals affect human and wildlife behavior. Moreover, due to recent technological and computational advances, scientists are now increasingly aware that a wide variety of contaminants and other environmental stressors adversely affect organismal behavior and subsequent ecological outcomes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. There is also a groundswell of concern that regulatory ecotoxicology does not adequately consider behavior, primarily due to a lack of standardized toxicity methods. This has, in turn, led to the exclusion of many behavioral ecotoxicology studies from chemical risk assessments. To improve understanding of the challenges and opportunities for behavioral ecotoxicology within regulatory toxicology/risk assessment, a unique workshop with international representatives from the fields of behavioral ecology, ecotoxicology, regulatory (eco)toxicology, neurotoxicology, test standardization, and risk assessment resulted in the formation of consensus perspectives and recommendations, which promise to serve as a roadmap to advance interfaces among the basic and translational sciences, and regulatory practices. © 2021 The AuthorsVeröffentlichung Polystyrene Microplastics modulate the toxicity of the hydrophilic insecticide Thiacloprid for Chironomid Larvae and also influence their burrowing behavior(2022) Krais, Stefanie; Anthes, Nils; Huppertsberg, Sven; Ruhl, Aki SebastianAs there is still little knowledge of interactions between microplastics (MP) and hydrophilic compounds, we propose ways the toxicity of hydrophilic pesticides can be modulated by MP, when sorption can be excluded. Larvae of Chironomus riparius were exposed to thiacloprid (TH, 1 mikrog/L) and polystyrene microplastic particles (PS; <50 mikrom; 150,000 and 1,000,000 particles/L) for 96 h, solely or in co-exposure. Burrowing behavior and mortality were observed. Larvae in treatments containing PS established themselves quicker in the sediment and kept the ability to rebury for a longer time compared to control and TH, respectively. While TH elevated the mortality, exposure to PS alone did not affect the survival of the larvae. In co-exposure of TH and PS, a concentration of 150,000 particles/L significantly reduced the toxicity of 1 mikrog/L TH after 96 h, an effect that was not observed at 1,000,000 particles/L. Therefore, we hypothesize that this modulation of the toxicity of TH eventually may have resulted from a combination of a "protective MP layer" in the gut and a higher retention time of particles in larvae exposed to 150,000 particles/L than in those exposed to 1,000,000 particles/L due to the lower number of ingestible particles in the former. © 2022 by the authorsVeröffentlichung Improving the regulatory environmental risk assessment of human pharmaceuticals: Required changes in the new legislation(2023) Gildemeister, Daniela; Moermond, Caroline T.A.; Berg, CeciliaOne of the flagship actions of the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe is to address environmental challenges associated with pharmaceutical use. This includes strengthening the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) at marketing authorisation (MA) of pharmaceuticals, and revision of the pharmaceutical legislation where needed. The overall aim of an ERA should be to enable comprehensive and effective identification and management of environmental risks of pharmaceuticals without affecting the availability of pharmaceuticals to patients. As experts in the evaluation of ERAs of human medicinal products submitted by pharmaceutical industries (Applicants), we have summarized the current status of the ERA and suggest legislative changes to improve environmental protection without affecting availability. Six regulatory goals were defined and discussed, including possible ways forward: 1) mandatory ERAs in accordance to the EMA guideline at the time of the MA, 2) enforcement of risk mitigation measures including re-evaluation of the ERA, 3) facilitated exchange of environmental data between pharmaceutical and environmental legislations, 4) substance-based assessments, 5) transparency of data, and 6) a catching-up procedure for active pharmaceutical ingredients that lack an ERA. These legislative proposals can be considered as prerequisites for a harmonised assessment and effective management of environmental risks and hazards of human pharmaceuticals. © 2023 The Authors.Veröffentlichung A new concept for the ecotoxicological assessment of plastics under consideration of aging processes(2023) Kittner, Maria; Isernhinke, Lisa; Altmann, Korinna; Braun, Ulrike; Lukas, MarcusMicroplastics are widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial environments, but up tonow less is known about (eco)toxicological impacts under realistic conditions. Researchso far has focused mainly on impacts on organisms by fresh, single-origin plasticfragments or beads. However, plastics found in the environment are complex incomposition, this means different polymer types and sources, with and withoutadditives and in all stages of age, and therefore, in a more or less advanced stage ofdegradation. For oxidized degradation products that might be released from plasticmaterials during aging, there is a lack of information on potentially adverse effects onaquatic biota. The latter is of particular interest as oxidized degradation products mightbecome more water soluble due to higher polarity and are more bioavailable, therefore.The present study focused on plastic leachates of polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid(PLA), which were derived from alternating stress by hydrolysis and ultraviolet (UV)radiation-representing a realistic scenario in the environment. Test specimens of PS,PLA, or a PLA/PS layer (each 50%) were alternately exposed to UV radiation for 5 daysfollowed by hydrolysis for 2 days, for several weeks alternating. Ecotoxicological effectsof the storage water (artificial freshwater) of the test specimens and additionally, in asecond experimental setup, the effects of five potential polymer degradation productswere detected by 72 h algae growth inhibition tests withDesmodesmus subspicatus.Results clearly indicate inhibitory effects on algae growth by contaminants in thestorage water of stressed plastics with increasing growth inhibition of proceedinghydrolysis and UV stress times. Different polymers caused variable inhibitions of algaegrowth with stronger inhibitions by PS and less effects by PLA and the mixed layer ofboth. Moreover, not microplastic particles but the resulting dissolved degradationproducts after aging caused theecotoxicological effectsââą Ìwith strong effects by theoxidized degradation products. The existing data highlight the relevance of plastic agingas a framework for microplastic ecotoxicity evaluation and allow a proof of concept. © 2023 The Authors.