Q3: EFFECTS ASSESSMENT

Question 1

Predicting Effects

Answer 1

What might happen on release

What might a chemical be doing at a site

Question 2

Measuring Effects

Answer 2

Are effects actually happening
Are our predictions sound
DO we need to do anything

Question 3

The less dilute the waste, the ____ the percentage of dead organisms

Answer 3

higher

Question 4

The more dilute the waste, the ____the percentage of dead organisms

Answer 4

lower

Question 5

Tests Kits

Answer 5

Provide everything needed – including animals

All media, food etc.

Detailed test protocols

Question 6

In Vitro Toxicity Tests

Answer 6

Uses cells or in some cases tissues in culture

Vastly reducing animal use

Effects other than toxicity (death) can be measured

Question 7

Alternatives to Animal Testing

Answer 7

.Major area of research

.In vitro testing using cell cultures or microorganisms

.Genetic modification of cell lines for testing different effects

.Models or ‘in silico’ testing

BUT
.As yet models cannot do full ADME and effects assessments

.Species differences in sensitivity also difficult to model

.Alternative methods need to be validated and calibrated

.Strict ethical and scientific review of all testing

.Protocols to eliminate animal suffering – mortality unacceptable

.The 3 Rs - Reduce, Refine, Replace

Question 8

Mass Mortalities

Answer 8

.Rare
-must be high exposure

.Most often increases in mortality not apparent – few extra dead animals often spread over large areas – depends on surveillance

.Often contaminated animals may leave an area before dying and so are never counted

.Can be difficult to prove cause

.Mortality may not the most sensitive effect

Question 9

Hidden Mortalities

Answer 9

.Often only evidence is the absence of a species where it once was or where it ‘should be’

Difficult to prove cause and effect – many unknown environmental variables may explain absence

.Mortalities may be indirectly caused by chemicals

• Neurological damage can change behavior
• Immunosuppression can result in disease
• Endocrine disruptors can effect reproduction

Question 10

Kalamazoo River

Answer 10

.Contaminated with PCBS from paper recycling(Carbonous Paper)

.Almost 80 miles of river flood plain contaminated

.Risk assessment predicted severe impacts on all wildlife

.One single data point is worth a ton of prediction

\:
Selected removal
Bank Armouring
Saved billions
Saved habitat

Question 11

Mink

Answer 11

.Very sensitive to PCBs

.Predicted to be no mink population

.Found a small but healthy population

.Low population mainly due to development

• “Habitat Suitability” studies
• Mink do not live in carparks !

Question 12

Passerines(swallows)

Answer 12

Kalamazoo River:
-Song Birds that Eat emergent aqautic insects

• use nest boxes: makes it easy for testing
• Looking for PCB’S
• No variability found in PCB content