Statement on advancing the assessment of chemical mixtures and their risks for human health and the environment

Environment International, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 134, P. 105267 - 105267

Published: Nov. 6, 2019

The number of anthropogenic chemicals, manufactured, by-products, metabolites and abiotically formed transformation products, counts to hundreds thousands, at present. Thus, humans wildlife are exposed complex mixtures, never one chemical a time rarely with only dominating effect. Hence there is an urgent need develop strategies on how exposure multiple hazardous chemicals the combination their effects can be assessed. A workshop, “Advancing Assessment Chemical Mixtures Risks for Human Health Environment” was organized in May 2018 together Joint Research Center Ispra, EU-funded research projects Commission Services relevant EU agencies. This forum researchers policy-makers created discuss identify gaps risk assessment governance mixtures as well state art science future needs. Based presentations discussions this workshop we want bring forward following Key Messages: We turning point: exposures combined require better management protect public health environment from mixtures. Regulatory initiatives should launched investigate opportunities all regulatory frameworks include prospective mixture consider (real-life) wildlife, across sectors. Precautionary approaches intermediate measures (e.g. Mixture Factor) already applied, although, definitive assessments cannot routinely conducted due significant knowledge data gaps. European strategy needs set, through stakeholder engagement, would aimed scientific advancement mechanistic understanding modelling techniques, address policy Without such clear strategy, specific objectives common priorities, research, policies will likely remain scattered insufficient.

Language: Английский

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Future water quality monitoring: improving the balance between exposure and toxicity assessments of real-world pollutant mixtures

Environmental Sciences Europe, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 31(1)

Published: Feb. 19, 2019

Environmental water quality monitoring aims to provide the data required for safeguarding environment against adverse biological effects from multiple chemical contamination arising anthropogenic diffuse emissions and point sources. Here, we integrate experience of international EU-funded project SOLUTIONS shift focus a few legacy chemicals complex mixtures, identify relevant drivers toxic effects. Monitoring serves range purposes, control ecological status compliance specific uses, such as drinking abstraction. Various sampling techniques, target, suspect non-target analyses well an array in vitro, vivo situ bioanalytical methods were advanced improve contamination. Major improvements broader applicability include tailored screening identification techniques more diverse set chemicals, higher detection sensitivity, standardized protocols chemical, toxicological, assessments combined with systematic evidence evaluation techniques. No single method or combination is able meet all divergent purposes. Current approaches tend emphasize either targeted exposure effect detection. argue that, irrespective purpose, assessment results would benefit substantially obtaining linking information on occurrence both potentially In this paper, specify to: (1) contaminants, (2) assess impact aquatic ecosystems, (3) quantify cause–effect relationships between contaminants Specific strategies link are outlined each these distinct goals. These have been developed explored using case studies Danube Rhine river basins rivers Iberian Peninsula. suffers biases resulting differences associated uncertainty analyses. While ignore gaps (i.e., missing contaminants), effect-based penalize increased factors. This integrated work suggests ways deal mixture exposures balanced way, thus provides guidance future environmental monitoring.

Language: Английский

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Effect-based methods are key. The European Collaborative Project SOLUTIONS recommends integrating effect-based methods for diagnosis and monitoring of water quality

Environmental Sciences Europe, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 31(1)

Published: Feb. 8, 2019

The present monitoring and assessment of the chemical status water bodies fail to characterize likelihood that complex mixtures chemicals affect quality. European Collaborative Project SOLUTIONS suggests this can be estimated with effect-based methods (EBMs) complemented by screening and/or impact modeling. These should used identify causes impacted quality develop programs measures improve Along line reasoning, are recommended for Water Framework Directive (WFD) cover major modes action in universe environmentally relevant so as evaluate improvements upon implementing measures. To end, a minimum battery bioassays has been including short-term toxicity algae, Daphnia fish embryos vitro vivo tests on mode-of-action specific effects proxies long-term toxicity. adverse impacts established trigger values, which differentiate good from poor close alignment Environmental Quality Standards individual chemicals, while taking into account mixture use EBMs is suggested WFD one avenue establish due pollution systems. paper written component series policy briefs support decisions management under WFD.

Language: Английский

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Current EU research activities on combined exposure to multiple chemicals

Environment International, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 120, P. 544 - 562

Published: Aug. 28, 2018

Humans and wildlife are exposed to an intractably large number of different combinations chemicals via food, water, air, consumer products, other media sources. This raises concerns about their impact on public environmental health. The risk assessment for regulatory purposes mainly relies the individual chemicals. If exposure multiple is considered in a legislative framework, it usually limited falling within this framework co-exposure that covered by often neglected. Methodologies guidance assessing risks from combined have been developed sectors, however, harmonised, consistent approach performing mixture assessments management across sectors lacking. At time publication, several EU research projects running, funded current European Research Innovation Programme Horizon 2020 or Seventh Framework Programme. They aim at addressing knowledge gaps developing methodologies better assess chemical mixtures, generating making available internal external data, models assessment, tools silico vitro effect be applied tiered grouping chemicals, as well joint epidemiological-toxicological approaches prioritising mixtures concern. EDC-MixRisk, EuroMix, EUToxRisk, HBM4EU SOLUTIONS started exchange between consortia, Commission Services Agencies, order identify where new become remaining need further addressed. paper maps how contribute data needs identifies challenges addressed mixtures.

Language: Английский

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Regulatory assessment and risk management of chemical mixtures: challenges and ways forward

Critical Reviews in Toxicology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 49(2), P. 174 - 189

Published: Feb. 7, 2019

This paper summarizes current challenges, the potential use of novel scientific methodologies, and ways forward in risk assessment management mixtures. Generally, methodologies to address mixtures have been agreed; however, there are still several data methodological gaps be addressed. New approach can support filling knowledge on toxicity mode(s) action individual chemicals. (Bio)Monitoring, modeling, better sharing will derivation more realistic co-exposure scenarios. As often hamper an in-depth specific chemical mixtures, option taking account possible mixture effects single substance assessments is briefly discussed. To allow managers take informed decisions, transparent documentation assumptions related uncertainties recommended indicating impact assessment. Considering large number combinations chemicals prioritization needed, so that actions first highest concern drive risk. with different applications regulated separately might lead similar toxicological effects, it important consider across legislative sectors.

Language: Английский

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(Eco)toxicological tests for assessing impacts of chemical stress to aquatic ecosystems: Facts, challenges, and future

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 795, P. 148776 - 148776

Published: July 1, 2021

Monitoring of chemicals in the aquatic environment by chemical analysis alone cannot completely assess and predict effects on species ecosystems. This is primarily because increasing number (unknown) stressors mixture present environment. In addition, ability ecological indices to identify underlying causing negative limited. Therefore, additional complementary methods are needed that can address biological a direct manner provide link exposure, i.e. (eco)toxicological tests. (Eco)toxicological tests defined as test systems expose components (cells, individuals, populations, communities) (environmental mixtures of) register effects. These measure responses at sub-organismal (biomarkers vitro bioassays), whole-organismal, population, or community level. We performed literature search obtain state-of-the-art overview ecotoxicological available for assessing impacts biota reveal datagaps. total, we included 509 biomarkers, 207 bioassays, 422 measuring whole-organismal level, 78 population- community- ecosystem-level. Tests level biomarkers were most abundant invertebrates fish, whilst bioassays mostly based mammalian cell lines. ecosystem-level almost missing organisms other than microorganisms algae. an various extrapolation challenges faced using data from these suggest some forward looking perspectives. Although extrapolating measured relevant protection goals remains challenging, combination experiments models key more comprehensive assessment

Language: Английский

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Systematic Review of Toxicity Removal by Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies via Ozonation and Activated Carbon

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 53(13), P. 7215 - 7233

Published: May 23, 2019

Upgrading wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with advanced technologies is one key strategy to reduce micropollutant emissions. Given the complex chemical composition of wastewater, toxicity removal an integral parameter assess performance WWTPs. Thus, goal this systematic review evaluate how effectively ozonation and activated carbon remove in vitro vivo toxicity. Out 2464 publications, we extracted 46 relevant studies conducted at 22 pilot or full-scale We performed a quantitative qualitative evaluation (100 assays) data (20 species), respectively. Data more abundant on (573 points) than (162 points), certain end points (especially estrogenicity) models (e.g., daphnids) dominate. The literature shows that while conventional reduces toxicity, residual effects effluents may represent risk receiving ecosystem basis effect-based trigger values. In general, upgrade will significantly increase similar performance. Nevertheless, generates toxic transformation products can be removed by post-treatment. By assessing growing body studies, identify sensitive underrepresented species provide guidance for future research.

Language: Английский

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Characterization of wastewater effluents in the Danube River Basin with chemical screening, in vitro bioassays and antibiotic resistant genes analysis

Environment International, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 127, P. 420 - 429

Published: April 5, 2019

Averaged 7-day composite effluent wastewater samples from twelve treatment plants (WWTPs) in nine countries (Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, Czechia, Austria, Germany) the Danube River Basin were collected. WWTPs' selection was based on countries' dominant technology and a number of served population with aim to get representative holistic view pollution status. Samples analyzed for 2248 chemicals emerging concern (CECs) by wide-scope target screening employing LC-ESI-QTOF-MS. 280 compounds detected at least one sample quantified. Spatial differences concentrations distribution classes discussed. Additionally, possible agonistic/antagonistic potencies using panel vitro transactivation reporter gene CALUX® bioassays including ERα (estrogenics), anti-AR (anti-androgens), GR (glucocorticoids), anti-PR (anti-progestins), PPARα PPARγ (peroxisome proliferators) PAH assays. The potency cause oxidative stress induce xenobiotic metabolism determined Nrf2 PXR bioassays, respectively. signals each compared recently developed effect-based trigger values (EBTs) thus allowed allocating effluents into four categories their measured toxicity, proposing putative action plan operators. Moreover, antibiotics 13 antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) mobile genetic element (intl1) assess potential antibiotic resistance. All data collected these various types analysis stored an on-line database can be viewed via interactive map https://norman-data.eu/EWW_DANUBE.

Language: Английский

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The advantages of linear concentration–response curves for in vitro bioassays with environmental samples

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 37(9), P. 2273 - 2280

Published: May 30, 2018

Abstract In vitro assays and high‐throughput screening (HTS) tools are increasingly being employed as replacements for animal testing, but most concentration–response curves still evaluated with models developed testing. We argue that application of in assays, particularly reporter gene to environmental samples can benefit from a different approach modeling. First, cytotoxicity often occurs at higher concentrations, especially weakly acting compounds complex mixtures many components. these cases, specific effects be masked by cytotoxicity. Second, HTS low effect levels precisely quantified because the variability controls cell‐based opportunity run concentrations replicates when using high‐density well‐plate formats (e.g., 384 or more wells per plate). Hence, we recommend focusing modeling on lower portion curve, which is approximately linear. Effect derived low–effect level linear facilitate simple derivation relative potencies correct mixture toxicity calculation bioanalytical equivalent concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2273–2280. © 2018 SETAC

Language: Английский

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Water quality and ecological risks in European surface waters – Monitoring improves while water quality decreases

Environment International, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 152, P. 106479 - 106479

Published: March 7, 2021

Aquatic ecosystems are at risk of being impaired by various organic chemicals, however comprehensive large-scale evaluations waterbodies' status and trends rare. Here, surface water monitoring data, gathered as part the EU Water Framework Directive comprising occurrence 352 contaminants (>8.3 mil. measurements; 2001–2015; 8213 sites) in 31 European countries, was used to evaluate past current environmental risks for three aquatic species groups: fish, invertebrates, plants. Monitoring quality indices were defined per country found improve over time. Relationships became apparent between countries' index their success detecting contaminants. Across EU, more frequently recent years. Overall, 35.7% (n = 17,484) sites exceeded least one acute regulatory threshold level (RTL) each year, average significantly increased time fish (τ 0.498, p 0.01) invertebrates 0.429, 0.03). This indicates an chemical pressure Europe's waterbodies overall exceedances. Pesticides identified main drivers (>85% RTL exceedances) with most acutely Europe. Agricultural land-use clearly primary spatial driver observed throughout waters. Issues data heterogeneity highlighted also followed subsequent improvement recommendations, strengthening future assessments. ecosystem integrity remains across Europe, signaling demand continued improvements.

Language: Английский

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