Evaluation of approaches for terrestrial hazard classification.
Hazard assessment is an essential element in the evaluation of the potential effects of chemical substances on the environment. To date, most work has focused on hazard assessment schemes for the aquatic environment, but in recent years, a number of proposals have been developed for other environmental compartments. Due to limited datasets, the suitability of the toxicity cut-off values in these schemes has not been fully determined and the practicalities associated with using these approaches have not been fully established. This study, which focused on the soil compartment, was performed to examine cut-off values proposed by two terrestrial hazard assessment schemes and establish the availability of data. Data on earthworms indicated that current proposals for toxicity cut-off values are appropriate. However, analysis of IUCLID (International Uniform ChemicaL Information Database) indicates that even for commonly used high production volume chemicals, insufficient data are available to enable classification. Whilst the necessary data may already be available for selected groups of substances (e.g. pesticides and veterinary medicines), a significant experimental testing programme would therefore be required before a terrestrial classification system could be applied widely. Such data may become available in the future as a result of initiatives such as REACH.
Renaud
Fabrice G
FG
Cranfield Centre for EcoChemistry, Cranfield University, Silsoe, Bedfordshire MK45 4DT, UK. renaud@ehs.unu.edu
Boxall
Alistair B A
AB
Toy
Robin
R
Robertson
Steve
S
D000818:Animals; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005062:European Union; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000145:classification* / Q000592:standards* / Q000633:toxicity*; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000187:drug effects*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D012989:Soil Pollutants