Publication Abstract

The Impact of Active Compound Application Methods and other factors on the Validity of Ecotoxicity Study Data

The Impact of Active Compound Application Methods and other factors on the Validity of Ecotoxicity Study Data

Maximillian A. La Vedrine*, Edward J. Smith*, Anthony Millais*, Joanna Corton*, Denise Doran*, Lynn Jones*, Robert Rowles* and Steven Supple*

The Offshore Chemical Notification Scheme (OCNS) Offshore Chemicals database holds standardized ecotoxicological data for over 6,000 chemicals used by the Oil & Gas Industry in UK and NL waters. As part of Cefas’ continuous data quality review, exercise data was collated for one substance, as defined by its CAS number, found in over 100 products. The database yielded a total of 460 ecotoxicological endpoints spread over 10 different species for this substance, which displayed considerable variability. In order to investigate the causes of this, the underlying reports from which the data was derived were reviewed, and the impact of active ingredient application methods, test laboratories, and batch variability in the composition were considered. The results attributed the high levels of variability to differences in test item composition, as well as inter- and intra-laboratory variation. From a regulatory standpoint this variability causes significant changes to Chemical Hazard Assessment and Risk Management (CHARM) model deterministic hazard quotients (HQ). An overview of the data is presented and the implications and possible solutions to the problems highlighted are discussed.

Maximillian A. La Vedrine*, Edward J. Smith*, Anthony Millais*, Joanna Corton*, Denise Doran*, Lynn Jones*, Robert Rowles* and Steven Supple*

RSC / EOSCA CHEMISTRY IN THE OIL INDUSTRY XI: Regulation Meets Innovation - Moving Forward, 2-4 November 2009, Manchester Conference Centre, UK