Comparison of a score-based approach with risk-based ranking of in-use agricultural pesticides in Canada to aquatic receptors.
The purpose of this paper is to present a new risk-based approach developed by Environment Canada for ranking pesticides and their potential risk to aquatic life. These rankings are compared to those generated using a more traditional score-based approach. Two hundred and twelve active ingredients registered in Canada for use in agricultural field crops were included in this assessment. For each major aquatic taxon assessed (fish, insects, crustaceans, algae, and macrophytes), risk was calculated by dividing the 96-h estimated environmental concentration (modeled using parameters such as the application rate and method as well as physicochemical properties) by HC5 values (obtained through calculations of species sensitivity distribution-based toxicity endpoints). The traditional approach assigned scores based on toxicity endpoints in standard test species as well as physicochemical properties associated with the potential for aquatic contamination. A number of similarities were observed between the rankings but also notable differences. Only 22 active ingredients were common to the top 50 ranking positions from both approaches. The main reasons that accounted for the discrepancies between both rankings were the choice of toxicity endpoints, whether based on single or multiple species; the taxonomic breadth of retained data; the use of scores versus risk quotients; and the choices made in situations where multiple data points were available. We conclude that a risk-based approach that considers a broad representation of species toxicity data and estimates of runoff and drift concentration in receiving aquatic systems (even from generic application scenarios) is a more realistic representation of potential toxicological effects and a superior method of ranking products for the risk they pose to the aquatic environment.
Whiteside
Mélanie
M
Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa K1A 0H3, Ontario.
Mineau
Pierre
P
Morrison
Clare
C
Knopper
Loren D
LD
D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada; D003445:Crustacea / Q000187:drug effects; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000187:drug effects; D005399:Fishes; D007313:Insecta / Q000187:drug effects; D010575:Pesticides / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*
D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical