Toward a consistent evaluative framework for POP risk characterization.
The purpose of Annex E in the Stockholm Convention (SC) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is to assess whether a chemical is likely, as a result of its long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health or environmental effects, such that global action is warranted. To date, risk profiles for nominated POPs have not consistently selected assessment endpoints or completed mandated risk characterizations. An assessment endpoint hierarchy is proposed to facilitate risk characterization for the implementation of the SC. The framework is illustrated for a nominated POP, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), using three risk estimation methods. Based on current monitoring and toxicity data, the screening-level results indicate that humans and ecological receptors in remote regions such as the Arctic are unlikely to experience significant adverse effects (i.e., low risk) due to long-range environmental transport of HBCD. The results for birds are more uncertain than the results for fish and mammals due to the paucity of avian toxicity data. Risk characterization results for HBCD and for some listed POPs are compared to illustrate how the proposed methods can further assist decision-making and chemical management.
University of Toronto Scarborough, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, Canada. jon.arnot@utoronto.ca
Jon A
JA
Arnot
James M
JM
Armitage
Lynn S
LS
McCarty
Frank
F
Wania
Ian T
IT
Cousins
Liisa
L
Toose-Reid
D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D058735:Environmental Policy; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D018675:Toxicity Tests
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D009930:Organic Chemicals; C089796:hexabromocyclododecane