Chemicals - Mixture toxicity

Title

Toxicity to Eisenia andrei and Folsomia candida of a metal mixture applied to soil directly or via an organic matrix

Reference

 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Volume 74, Issue 6, September 2011, Pages 1715-1720

Author(s)

T. Natal-da-Luz, G. Ojeda, J. Pratas, C.A.M. Van Gestel, J.P. Sousa

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Regulatory limits for chemicals and ecological risk assessment are usually based on the effects of single compounds, not taking into account mixture effects. The ecotoxicity of metal-contaminated sludge may, however, not only be due to its metal content. Both the sludge matrix and the presence of other toxicants may mitigate or promote metal toxicity. To test this assumption, the toxicity of soils recently amended with an industrial sludge predominantly contaminated with chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc and soils freshly spiked with the same mixture of metals was evaluated through earthworm (Eisenia andrei) and collembolan (Folsomia candida) reproduction tests. The sludge was less toxic than the spiked metal mixture for E. andrei but more toxic for F. candida. Results obtained for the earthworms suggest a decrease in metal bioavailability promoted by the high organic matter content of the sludge. The higher toxicity of the sludge for F. candida was probably due to the additive toxic effect of other pollutants.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Impacts >> Mixture toxicity
Soil >> Soil biodiversity
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Keywords

Toxic units; Joint effect; Metal-contaminated sludge; Mixture toxicity

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014765131100162X
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Contact the study author at:

tiagonluz@iav.uc.pt

Title

Problems faced when evaluating the bioaccumulation potential of substances under reach

Reference

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
DOI: 10.1002/ieam.190

Author(s)

Gunnar Ehrlich, Ulrich Johncke, Wiebke Drost, Christoph Schulte

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The identification and regulation of substances which combine persistency, bioaccumulation potential and toxicity (PBT-substances) is one central aspect of the European chemical legislation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) because these substances may elicit adverse long-term effects after release to the environment. The determination of a substance having PBT-properties is based on a set of distinct cut-off criteria identified in Annex XIII of the REACH regulation. Regarding the bioaccumulation potential the evaluation is focused on the substance's bioconcentration factor (BCF) as single decisive criterion. In addition the REACH guidelines provide a selection of standardised test procedures for measuring BCF and guidance in appraising test results. However, alternative test results like bioaccumulation factors (BAF) and biomagnification as well as additional indications for a bioaccumulation potential such as trophic magnification are only allowed for supporting evidence. The currently used test systems with aquatic exposure have been demonstrated to generate reliable results for the majority of neutral, lipophilic organic substances, which facilitate a clear decision making by means of the crucial BCF cut-off criteria of Annex XIII. However, certain substance groups such as highly hydrophobic organic substances, amphiphilic and non-lipophilic compounds are difficult to evaluate following common test strategies due to inappropriate test systems or accumulation mechanisms not based on lipophilicity. Recent scientific progress has already been made to establish alternative test systems and to refine the bioaccumulation assessment by consideration of additive accumulation mechanisms and indications. This article aims to give an overview on actual shortcomings in the current bioaccumulation assessment under REACH and also provides suggestions for a refinement of evaluation

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Impacts >> Mixture toxicity
Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies

Keywords

Bioconcentration, Biomagnification, BAF, BCF, PBT, KOW, Bioaccumulation assessment, REACH regulation, Fish feeding study, Radioactive labeling, Trophic magnification

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ieam.190/abstract
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wiebke.drost@uba.de

Title

Mapping Cumulative Environmental Risks: Examples from the EU NoMiracle Project

Reference

Environmental Modeling and Assessment (2011) 16:119-133

Author(s)

Alberto Pistocchi, Jan Groenwold, Joost Lahr, Mark Loos, Marelys Mujica, Ad M. J. Ragas, Robert Rallo, Serenella Sala, Uwe Schlink, Kathrin Strebel, Marco Vighi, Pilar Vizcaino

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We present examples of cumulative chemical risk mapping methods developed within the NoMiracle project. The different examples illustrate the application of the concentration addition (CA) approach to pesticides at different scale, the integration in space of cumulative risks to individual organisms under the CA assumption, and two techniques to (1) integrate risks using data-driven, parametric statistical methods, and (2) cluster together areas with similar occurrence of different risk factors, respectively. The examples are used to discuss some general issues, particularly on the conventional nature of cumulative risk maps, and may provide some suggestions for the practice of cumulative risk mapping.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Impacts >> Mixture toxicity
Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies

Keywords

Cumulative environmental risk,
GIS mapping, Mixtures, Multiple stressors, Pesticides, Metals, Spatial distribution

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/h1r16j4q07467u27/
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alberto.pistocchi@eurac.edu

Title

Cumulative risk assessment of chemical exposures in urban environments

Reference

Environment International
Volume 37, Issue 5, July 2011, Pages 872-881

Author(s)

Ad M.J. Ragas, R. Oldenkamp, N.L. Preeker, J. Wernicke and U. Schlink

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We performed a cumulative risk assessment for people living in a hypothetical urban environment, called Urbania. The main aims of the study were to demonstrate how a cumulative risk assessment for a middle-sized European city can be performed and to identify the bottlenecks in terms of data availability and knowledge gaps. The assessment focused on five air pollutants (i.e., PM10, benzene, toluene, nonane and naphthalene) and six food pesticides (i.e., acetamiprid, carbendazim, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, imidacloprid and permethrin). Exposure predictions showed that PM10, benzene and naphthalene exposure frequently exceeded the standards, and that the indoor environment contributed more than the outdoor environment. Effect predictions showed that mixture and interaction effects were generally limited. However, model calculations indicated potential synergistic effects between naphthalene and benzene and between chlorpyrifos, diazinon and toluene. PM10 dominated the health impact expressed in Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). We conclude that measures to reduce the health impact of environmental pollution should focus on the improvement of indoor air quality and the reduction of PM10 emissions. Cumulative risk assessment can be improved by (1) the development of person-oriented exposure models that can simulate the cumulative exposure history of individuals, (2) a better mechanistic understanding of the effects of cumulative stressors, and (3) the development of instruments to prioritize stressors for inclusion in cumulative risk assessments.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Impacts >> Health impacts
Chemicals >> Impacts >> Mixture toxicity
Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Hazardous substances

Keywords

Multiple stress, Risk assessment, Exposure assessment, Effect assessment; Hazard index, DALY

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412011000468
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Contact the study author at:

A.Ragas@science.ru.nl