Testing for Effects of Chemicals on Ecosystems

摘要

An assessment of the potential extent of environmental hazards posed by intentional or accidental release of chemicals requires the collection of a complex set of data. These data must describe a variety of characteristics indicative of multi-species interactions within ecosystems. Recognizing that most current assessments rely primarily on data generated by single-species tests, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated a review of available laboratory test systems and data evaluation schemes for predicting effects of chemicals on ecosystems. The Environmental Sciences Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratories was asked to conduct this review. In addition, the National Research Council (NRC) was asked to assist in structuring the review and to address the problem of advancing the role of applied ecology in toxicological assessments. The purpose of these activities was to assist EPA in improving the quality of scientific information for making decisions and in developing environmental risk assessments that are needed to implement the Toxic Substances Control Act.