Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) is a fungicide which, like many other pesticides, is subject to risk analysis to ensure that its application does not harm the environment.  The risk analysis of pesticides and related products often takes the form of screening-level analyses which use broad and conservative assumptions. In many cases, conservative assumptions are justified because of a lack of crucial data. However, in other cases, significant information about the environmental fate and effects of the pesticide is available but this information is not readily used in the risk analysis because the risk analysis frameworks and tools available are not able to accommodate such data. This can be counter-productive as investments in research may not lead to improvements in pest management. In this paper, we present examples, based on our experience with PCNB (part 1 of this work) and some other pesticides, which illustrate how current bioaccumulation risk analysis methods can be improved to take greater advantage of new information. We demonstrate the application of toxicokinetic methods to provide better temporal concentration profiles for risk assessment. We also demonstrate the use of empirical and computed biotransformation rates to improve bioaccumulation predictions. We further illustrate the application of thermodynamic activity to take greater advantage of available toxicity and exposure data in bioaccumulation risk analyses. We conclude that currently available risk analysis methods are appropriate to develop preliminary screening level risk assessments. However, with increasing knowledge, there is a need and an expectation for improved risk assessment methods.

Bioaccumulation risk assessment of pentachloronitrobenzene, 2: Lessons learned

248th National Meeting (2014)

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