Initiative to Revise the Ecological Assessment Process
Environmental Fate and Effects Division
Office of Pesticide Programs
Ingrid M. Sunzenauer
On this Page
May 1996 SAP Meeting
Purpose:
Requested the Panel to review and comment on OPP's Eco-Risk Assessment methods.
Asked the Panel to focus on the methodology used and not to address the individual chemicals.
Summary of SAP Comments
The Panel generally seemed to recognize the value of current assessment methods, which can be viewed as a screening level assessment, and approved of the methodology.
The Panel provided several comments and recommendations on how to improve the methods and procedures used to help move beyond a screening level assessment.
Goals and Components of the Initiative
Goals of the Initiative
Goals are to
Identify, develop, and validate tools and methodologies to conduct probabilistic assessments.
Conduct the initiative within the context of the FIFRA regulatory framework.
Maintain an open process with the scientific community, public, and other stakeholders.
Components of the Initiative
Components
ECOFRAM
Outreach
Peer Review
ECOFRAM - Structure
Two workgroups (aquatic and terrestrial)
Sub-divided into exposure and effects
Experts drawn from government and non-government organizations, industry and academia
Selection based on expertise, affiliation, and availability
Review of ECOFRAM Charge: Project Goals
Review the current ecological assessment process
Develop probabilistic tools and methodologies for predicting the magnitude and probability of adverse terrestrial and aquatic effects from pesticides
Identify data needed for support
Identify validation and additional developmental work
Review of ECOFRAM Charge: Project Guidance
Developed within the context of the FIFRA regulatory framework
Consider OPP's resource constraints
Based on the basic elements of EPA's Framework for Ecological Risk assessment
Review of ECOFRAM Charge: Expected Results
Written documents that outline recommendations for processes, tools, and methods
Identification of data needs
Identification of assumptions and rationale behind recommendations
Validation within a reasonable timeframe
Supported by the best science available
Reality!
Limited timeframe of 6 - 8 meetings over the course of a year
Substantial but limited resources
Scientific limitations
Project Focus
Initially address:
increasing levels of biological organization, focusing on individuals and populations, and
direct acute and chronic effects upon terrestrial vertebrates, aquatic vertebrates, and aquatic invertebrates
Outreach
Variety of Stakeholders - Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee
States - State FIFRA Issues and Evaluation Group
Public - Open meeting on June 23, 1997
Web page and public docketOPP risk managers - Ongoing briefings and discussions
Scientific community - Professional meetings
Outreach- Professional Meetings
American Chemical Society (September 1997)
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (November 1997 and 1998)
Society for Risk Analysis (December 1997)
American Society for Testing and Materials (April 1998)
Peer Review
Agency-sponsored workshop or letter review with selected experts
Scientific Advisory Panel
Timeline for Initiative
Event | Date |
---|---|
ECOFRAM meetings | June '97 - Spring '98 |
Peer Review | Fall '98 |
SAP Review | Winter '98 |
Implementation | Spring '99 |