化学品环境暴露评估模型研究进展

各国政府高度重视化学品生产使用引发的环境问题,研发了一系列环境暴露预测模型,包含了点源暴露到面源暴露各种排放模式,局部暴露、区域暴露及洲际暴露的各种预测尺度,筛选评估到确认水平的不同评估层级,用于评估化学品的潜在风险。本文从模型功能、机理出发,综述了化学品环境暴露评估涉及的排放估计、水/土/气、多介质以及食物链评估模型,以期为推动我国化学品环境暴露模型的研发提供参考。     

基于环境逸度模型的化学物质暴露与风险评估研究进展

工业化学品通过各种迁移转化过程后在环境区间中广泛分布,同时新化学品正被大量的生产并进入环境,使得对于化学品管控的需求和压力不断增加。基于这一背景,多国政府颁布了相应的政策法规对化学品进行管控。除了用相应的政策法规进行预先管控之外,使用基于逸度概念的多介质环境模型来表征化学品的行为与归趋是一个相对简单而有效的方法,不仅适用于环境中存在的现有化学品的暴露评估,也成为各国化学品管理中对新化学品的环境暴露进行预测的有力工具。本文综述逸度概念与方法、相关环境模型、建模过程、应用验证等方面的国内外研究进展,希望能够对我国化学品环境暴露评估与风险评估的模型构建、优化与方法应用提供信息和借鉴。     

污水处理厂暴露模型参数及对化学品归趋的影响

污水处理厂(STP)暴露预测模型是评估化学品环境归趋的重要手段。调研和实际测定了中国典型污水处理厂的处理工艺、污水特征及环境条件等参数,结果显示,中国STP进水的生化需氧量(BOD5)和悬浮颗粒浓度(SS)普遍低于欧盟。应用欧盟Simple Treat模型,比较了2,6-二叔丁基苯酚、2,4-二叔戊基苯酚和1-萘酚3种化学品在中国和欧盟场景参数下的归趋差异。结果显示,中国场景参数下3种化学品进入污泥的比例较低,向水体中排放比例较高,水环境风险较大。模型灵敏度分析结果表明,进水BOD5、进水SS、活性污泥有机碳含量和环境温度是影响化学品环境归趋的主要因素。     

化学品环境归趋模型及应用

环境归趋模型是化学品管控的重要工具.环境中化学品归趋模型的开发和应用逐渐增多,然而有关应用化学品归趋模拟的模型综述报道较少.本文汇总了目前已用于模拟化学品归趋的模型清单,结合模型结构特点,将化学品归趋模型分为四类:以源排放估算为基础的化学品归趋模型、以环境多介质模型为基础的化学品归趋模型、以水文水质模型为基础的化学品归趋模型及化学品综合管理模型.介绍了模型的基本原理和发展历程,概述了各种模型特点和不同环境条件下模型的应用情况,并进一步探讨化学品归趋模型的应用前景和发展趋势.文章以期为目前化学品归趋模拟研究提供更清晰的现状分析,为化学品归趋模型的选择提供参考.     

水生态模拟系统及其在化学品生态风险评估中的应用

水生态模拟系统是用于高层次化学品生态风险评估的测试模型,目前在国外已经广泛用于工业化学品、农药、兽药、重金属等单一化学物质和复杂混合物的生态风险评估研究,而我国的相关研究比较匮乏。随着我国化学品风险评估体系的完善,水生态模拟系统测试必将作为作为单一生物毒性测试的有效补充。在此背景下,简述了水生态模拟系统的分类、研究方法和结果外推方法;从单一化学物质暴露作用下的生态危害评估、多种化学物质联合暴露作用下的生态危害评估以及目标化学物质的归趋分析三个方面阐述了水生态模拟系统在国内外化学品风险评估科学研究中的应用,对比了水生态模拟系统和单一物种毒性测试结果和基于两种测试数据的生态危害评估结果。与此同时,分析了水生态模拟系统在国内外化学品环境管理中的应用情况。在此基础上,对我国发展水生态模拟系统所存在的问题及解决方案提出了建议。     

化学品多介质逸度模型软件研究进展

因化学品而产生的环境和健康问题日益引起人们的广泛关注,由于大多数化学品存在剂量-效应关系,使得化学品的暴露水平直接影响其在环境介质中的生态效应,多介质模型可以预测化学品在环境各介质中的浓度水平,为预防和控制化学品的生态风险提供理论支撑.本文详细调查了近年来基于逸度理论开发的多介质模型软件的应用状况,分析和总结了常用逸度模型软件的功能、特点、应用领域等,并展望了化学品多介质模型逸度软件的发展趋势,以期为化学品的环境风险评价和环境管理提供技术参考.     

扩大和加速化学品风险评价：国际活动

风险评价是化学品环境无害管理的首要步骤．然而，对于很多大量生产的化学品来说，进行风险评价所需要的一些重要数据是缺乏的．风险不仅决定于该化学品到底有多毒，而且也决定于公众暴露，职业暴露和环境暴露、本文调查了现有合作的国际风险评价活动，也考察了这些活动的未来方向．     

扩大和加速化学品风险评价：国际活动

风险评价是化学品是环境无害管理的首要步骤，然而，对于很多大量生产的化学品来说，进行风险评价所需要的一些重要的数据是缺乏的，风险不仅决定该化学品到底有多毒，而且也决定于公众暴露，职业暴露和环境暴露，本文调查了现有合作的国际风险评价活动，也考察了这些活动的未来方向。     

面向化学品风险预测的计算毒理学软件比较研究

化学品风险评价是进行化学品环境管理和污染防治的前提,其关键在于化学品环境暴露和危害性数据的获取。仅采用实验测试获取相关数据的效率较低、成本高,难以满足数以万计的化学品风险评价的需求。以定量构效关系(QSAR)模型为代表的计算毒理学技术,可实现化学品环境暴露与危害性参数的高通量预测,是填补相关数据缺失的重要方法。近年来,计算毒理学领域发展了一批面向化学品环境暴露和危害性参数预测的软件工具,集成了数据和模型资源,在化学品管理活动中发挥了重要作用。本研究共搜集了国内外25款计算毒理学软件,通过文献资料调研和软件试用,从开发背景、预测终点、预测方法、功能与信息完整度和内嵌模型预测性能等方面对软件进行分析比较。分析表明,化学品管理法规支持、多方合作和数据共享,是计算毒理学软件开发的重要基础条件。现有计算毒理学软件在预测终点覆盖度、预测结果可靠性、软件实用性和可拓展性方面仍有提升空间。未来相关软件的开发需要结合深度学习等先进建模技术,增强软件的预测性能并扩大其应用范围,使之成为化学品风险综合评价和决策分析的实用工具。     

多介质环境模型New Equilibrium Criterion(New EQC)参数敏感性分析

多介质环境模型被广泛应用于化学品环境风险评估.模型参数敏感性分析是使用模型时必不可少的环节,也是了解模型结构的有效途径之一.模型参数敏感性分析可筛选出对模型预测结果具有显著影响的化学品物化参数和环境参数,有助于减少数据收集工作量,能侧重收集所要评估区域关键的环境参数和实际环境条件下的物化参数值,从而提高模型预测结果的可信度,为化学品管理决策提供准确数据.本研究以化学物质八甲基环四硅氧烷为例,采用局部敏感性分析法中的一次一个变量法和全局敏感性分析法中的回归分析法,分别对多介质环境模型New Equilibrium Criterion模型参数进行了敏感性分析.结果表明,亨利常数、LevelⅢ向空气排放率和沉积物沉积速率等参数值的变化对模型预测结果影响显著.     

Kombinationswirkungen von Umweltchemikalien in der Ökotoxikologie

Ecosystems and biocoenoses are exposed to multiple mixtures of environmental pollutants, but the usual risk assessment of chemical toxicities is focussed only on the judgement of single substance toxicity. With the two biometrical models concentration-addition and independent action known from pharmacology and toxicology, a pragmatic way for the analysis of combined effects is possible using the experimental knowledge of single substance toxicity. A short introduction to the models is given and an appropriate experimental design for mixture toxicity analysis is outlined. The principal suitability of the concepts was verifed in two different bioassays (green alga; luminescent bacterium) with the analysis of binary and multiple mixture toxicities of environmental chemicals. In this paper we present the results obtained with the green algae bioassay. Congruent results from the bioluminescence inhibition assay can be found in Grimme (1998). The results obtained indicate that the toxicities of mixtures of chemicals can be studied experimentally, even at low concentrations of the individual components. Mixture toxicities were detected at low, statistically non-significantly acting concentrations of the single compounds. These results force one to take mixture toxicities into account when environmental standards are established.     

Ökotoxikologische Wirkungsabschätzung

Extrapolation is one of the most severe problems in ecotoxicological risk assessment. The protection of the environment requires the prediction of exposure to the ecosystem as well as the resulting changes in structural and functional properties. Three types of extrapolation models for effect assessment are discussed: ratio tests, empirical statistical models and the computer simulation of mathematical models. It has been demonstrated that the extrapolations used to regulate the release of chemicals into the environment are not supported scientifically. Aside from unrealistic or invalidated assumptions, problems are seen to result from the irreducible uncertainties inherent in the prediction of such ecological effects. Keeping precautionary principles in mind, some consequences concerning the decision-making processes in pre or post-marketing regulation as well as the legal aspects of such processes are introduced.     

Parasitismus und ‘Endokrine Disruption’ in Fischen

Background

Since the 1960s the scientific community has become increasingly aware of the need for integrative and holistic approaches to solve environmental issues. It has not only been recognized that changing environmental conditions can alter toxicological properties of pollutants but also that susceptibility of organisms to man-made chemicals strongly depends on environmental factors. This is especially true with respect to the endocrine control of reproductive processes in many aquatic species including fish, which are mainly influenced by changes in the surrounding environment such as day length, temperature, water flow, etc. Thus, it is astounding that the use of integrative approaches to address the question of the ecotoxicological relevance of the disruption of endocrine and related reproductive functions is rate. As a consequence of this shortcoming, there is increasing demand both among scientists and politicians regarding more holistic approaches in the endocrine disruptor research.

Aim

This contribution aims to critically discuss current strategies and approaches as well as to identify alternative strategies in context with the environmental risk assessment of endocrine disruptors. This will be exemplified using an ecotoxicological study with bream (Abramis brama) that was conducted along a major European river, the Elbe.

Results and Discussion

Local bream (Abramis brama) populations collected along the river Elbe were characterized by different magnitudes and/or types of endocrine alterations. Although there is a relatively extensive data set available regarding its contamination with wide range of chemicals in the Elbe, it has not been possible to conclusively relate the observed endocrine effects to the exposure to individual compounds or mixtures of chemicals. However, during the gross morphological evaluations of the fish it was observed that at some locations a great number of the individuals caught were parasitized with the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis. Furthermore, statistical analysis revealed that a relatively great percentage of the variation of the biological endpoints observed both among individuals and sampling sites could be explained by the occurrence of this parasite. Overall, the findings of these studies indicate that there is a complex interaction not only among the exposure to chemicals and parasitism but also of both of these aspects with the occurrence of biological effects in fish.

Conclusions

The gaps in our current knowledge as well as the findings from the few studies available indicate, the there is a need to revise our current approaches to characterize and evaluate exposure scenarios regarding their potential to cause endocrine disruption in wild organisms. Given the complexity of most environmental exposure scenarios, involving multiple factors including anthropogenic and natural influences and their interactions, I therefore see the urgent need to initiate a discussion on more integrative approaches in this field in favor of true ‘ecotoxicological studies’ that integrate both ecology and toxicology.     

Hormonaktive Xenobiotika

Developmental and reproductive processes are most sensitive to the toxic effects of environmental chemicals. Especially alarming is the fact that many groups of industrial chemicals and pesticides are capable of disrupting the endocrine system in man and animals. Of great concern is the reduction in the sperm count in Europe, but also the worldwide increase in a great number of reproductive and developmental disturbances observed in both man and wildlife. A correlation to a high chemical burden has been demonstrated for many different animal species as well as for women. An important consideration in assessing the potential effects of environmental chemicals on the endocrine system is the time at which such an exposure occurs. In the adult organism, hormones initiate functional processes; these effects are usually transient. In early life, hormones control developmental processes and are capable of producing permanent changes in organ structure and function (organizational effects). Therefore, chemical disruption of hormonal functions during development can result in permanent functional changes of the afflicted organ.     

Modelling effects of chemical exposure on birds wintering in agricultural landscapes: The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) as a case study

We describe an ecotoxicological model that simulates the sublethal and lethal effects of chronic, low-level, chemical exposure on birds wintering in agricultural landscapes. Previous models estimating the impact on wildlife of chemicals used in agro-ecosystems typically have not included the variety of pathways, including both dermal and oral, by which individuals are exposed. The present model contains four submodels simulating (1) foraging behavior of individual birds, (2) chemical applications to crops, (3) transfers of chemicals among soil, insects, and small mammals, and (4) transfers of chemicals to birds via ingestion and dermal exposure. We demonstrate use of the model by simulating the impacts of a variety of commonly used herbicides, insecticides, growth regulators, and defoliants on western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) that winter in agricultural landscapes in southern Texas, United States. The model generated reasonable movement patterns for each chemical through soil, water, insects, and rodents, as well as into the owl via consumption and dermal absorption. Sensitivity analysis suggested model predictions were sensitive to uncertainty associated with estimates of chemical half-lives in birds, soil, and prey, sensitive to parameters associated with estimating dermal exposure, and relatively insensitive to uncertainty associated with details of chemical application procedures (timing of application, amount of drift). Nonetheless, the general trends in chemical accumulations and the relative impacts of the various chemicals were robust to these parameter changes. Simulation results suggested that insecticides posed a greater potential risk to owls of both sublethal and lethal effects than do herbicides, defoliants, and growth regulators under crop scenarios typical of southern Texas, and that use of multiple indicators, or endpoints provided a more accurate assessment of risk due to agricultural chemical exposure. The model should prove useful in helping prioritize the chemicals and transfer pathways targeted in future studies and also, as these new data become available, in assessing the relative danger to other birds of exposure to different types of agricultural chemicals.     

Investigating potential for effects of environmental endocrine disrupters on wild populations of amphibians in UK and Japan: status of historical databases and review of methods.

Concern over global declines among amphibians has resulted in increased interest in the effects of environmental contaminants on amphibian populations, and more recently, this has stimulated research on the potential adverse effects of environmental endocrine disrupters in amphibians. Laboratory studies of the effects of single chemicals on endocrine-relevant endpoints in amphibian, mainly anuran, models are valuable in characterizing sensitivity at the individual level and may yield useful bioassays for screening chemicals for endocrine toxicity (for example, thyroid disrupting activity). Nevertheless, in the UK and Japan as in many other countries, it has yet to be demonstrated unequivocally that the exposure of native amphibians to endocrine disrupting environmental contaminants results in adverse effects at the population level. Assessing the potential of such effects is likely to require an ecoepidemiological approach to investigate associations between predicted or actual exposure of amphibians to (endocrine disrupting) environmental contaminants and biologically meaningful responses at the population level. In turn, this demands recent but relatively long-term population trend data. We review two potential sources of such data for widespread UK anurans that could be used in such investigations: records for common frogs and common toads in several databases maintained by the Biological Records Centre (UK Government Centre for Ecology and Hydrology), and adult toad count data from 'Toads on Roads' schemes registered with the UK wildlife charity 'Froglife'. There were little abundance data in the BRC databases that could be used for this purpose, while count data from the Toads on Roads schemes is potentially confounded by the effects of local topology on the detection probabilities and operation of nonchemical anthropogenic stressors. For Japan, local and regional surveys of amphibians and national ecological censuses gathering amphibian data were reviewed to compile survey methodologies and these were compared with methods used in the UK and other countries. Substantial consensus exists in amphibian survey methodologies and this should be exploited in the initiation of coordinated monitoring programs for widespread and common anuran amphibians in Japan and the UK to generate long-term robust and standardized population trend data. Such data would support comparative ecoepidemiological assessments of the impact of environmental endocrine disrupters in these two cooperating countries.