Expectations of risk assessors on the work of ICPPR in the context of a new regulation and a new guidance document

Concerns related to risk to honeybees due to exposure to plant protection products (PPP) have increased with time during the last years in public opinion. Based on these concerns, data requirements to address the risk for honeybees have been modified and completed in the latest regulation (Regulations 283/2013 [1] and 284/2013 [2]). Moreover, a new EFSA guidance document was developed in 2013 to address risks to honeybees, bumble bees and solitary bees [3]. Thank to scientific community, knowledge on effects of PPP on bees has also increased during the last few years, but the new data requirements refer to tests for which no guideline exist. The implementation of the EFSA guidance in the next future will also require additional testing to fulfil the requirements and address the risk for the species of concern. ICPPR has been ahead of many method developments related to risk assessment for bees. Its work in the framework of European risk assessment for PPP is still needed as scientific and specialized inputs are absolutely necessary to address new requirements and risk assessment schemes

AMEG: the new SETAC advisory group on aquatic macrophyte ecotoxicology

Introduction and background Primary producers play critical structural and functional roles in aquatic ecosystems; therefore, it is imperative that the potential risks of toxicants to aquatic plants are adequately assessed in the risk assessment of chemicals. The standard required macrophyte test species is the floating (non-sediment-rooted) duckweed Lemna spp. This macrophyte species might not be representative of all floating, rooted, emergent, and submerged macrophyte species because of differences in the duration and mode of exposure; sensitivity to the specific toxic mode of action of the chemical; and species-specific traits (e.g., duckweed's very short generation time). Discussion and perspectives These topics were addressed during the workshop entitled “Aquatic Macrophyte Risk Assessment for Pesticides” (AMRAP) where a risk assessment scheme for aquatic macrophytes was proposed. Four working groups evolved from this workshop and were charged with the task of developing Tier 1 and higher-tier aquatic macrophyte risk assessment procedures. Subsequently, a SETAC Advisory Group, the Macrophyte Ecotoxicology Group (AMEG) was formed as an umbrella organization for various macrophyte working groups. The purpose of AMEG is to provide scientifically based guidance in all aspects of aquatic macrophyte testing in the laboratory and field, including prospective as well as retrospective risk assessments for chemicals. As AMEG expands, it will begin to address new topics including bioremediation and sustainable management of aquatic macrophytes in the context of ecosystem services

Utilisation de mésocosmes comme outils d'aide à l'évaluation des risques écotoxicologiques

National audienceLa réglementation européenne concernant la mise sur le marché et/ou l'utilisation de substances chimiques nécessite la caractérisation de l'écotoxicité et du devenir de ces substances dans l'environnement (Directive 92/32/CEE) afin de réaliser, dans la mesure où la substance est classée dangereuse pour l'environnement, une évaluation des risques pour l'environnement liés à l'utilisation de ces produits (Directive 93/67/CEE). A l'heure actuelle, cette évaluation, tant du comportement que de l'écotoxicité est réalisée à partir des résultats d'essais normalisés de laboratoire (Directive 92/32/CEE). Les mésocosmes, en permettant de coupler les études de comportement et de caractérisation de l'ecotoxicité des substances chimiques représentent un niveau d'intégration supérieur à celui des essais de laboratoire et permettent donc une évaluation plus réaliste des risques résultant d'une éventuelle contamination des milieux aquatiques. Ces outils ont d'ailleurs fait l'objet de diverses études, en particulier aux Etats-Unis, notamment pour évaluer l'impact des pesticides sur les écosystèmes aquatiques (Touart, 1994; Urban 1994). L'objectif des études menées dans le cadre du Programme PNETOX est de recueillir les informations nécessaires permettant à terme de réaliser des simplifications des écosystèmes artificiels tant lotiques que lentiques de sorte que la variabilité soit réduite et que des mécanismes essentiels puissent être isolés, sans pour autant invalider les conclusions et les prédictions qui pourraient être tirées

Effects of ethylene glycol ethers on the reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia

International audienceSeven-day static renewal tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia were used to document the chronic toxicity of ethylene glycol ethers and acetates to this invertebrate. The 7-d EC10 (effective concentrations inducing an inhibition of 10% of the reproduction of the tested organisms) values ranged from 0.06 to 1025 mg/l. While a survey of the literature showed that the acute toxicity of these chemicals appeared negligible, our results clearly revealed the potential chronic effects of some of them to this organism occupying an important trophic level in the aquatic ecosystems. The usefulness of this kind of test to better estimate the adverse effects of glycol ethers was stressed

Ecotoxicity of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and its acetate

International audienceEthylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (EGMEA) have been tested for their acute and chronic toxicity to various organisms occupying different trophic levels in the aquatic ecosystems. The results obtained in this study and those collected from the literature clearly reveal that EGME does not present short- or long-term ecotoxic effects in the ranges of concentrations likely to be found in aquatic environments. Indeed, in general, concentrations of 1000 to 10,000 mg/L of EGME are necessary before significant adverse effects can be observed in aquatic species. Conversely, acute toxicity occurs in fish at about 50 mg/L of EGMEA, and reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia is affected by 0.06 mg/L of this chemical. A teratogenic effect-with a specific malformation of the eyes-occurs in Xenopus laevis in the presence of 75 mg/L of EGMEA