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Godderis L, De Ryck E, Baeyens W, Geerts L, Jacobs G, Maesen P, Mertens B, Schroyen G, Van Belleghem F, Vanoirbeek J, Van Larebeke N. Towards a more effective reach legislation in protecting human health more effective reach in protecting human health. Toxicol Sci 2024:kfae025. [PMID: 38419586 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence indicating the substantial contribution of man-made products to an increase in the risk of diseases of civilization. In this article, the Belgian Scientific Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of CHemicals (REACH) Committee gives a critical view on the working of REACH. The current regulatory framework needs to further evolve taking into account data generated using modern science and technology. There is a need for improved assessment process not only before but also after entering the market. Objectivity, transparency, and the follow-up after market access can be optimized. Additionally, no guidance documents exist for regulation of mixture effects. Further, the lengthiness before regulatory action is a big concern. Decision making often takes several years leading to uncertainties for both producers and end users. A first proposed improvement is the implementation of independent toxicity testing, to assure objectivity, transparency, and check and improve compliance. A "no data, no market" principle could prevent access of hazardous chemicals to the market. Additionally, the introduction of novel testing could improve information on endpoints such as endocrine disrupting abilities, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. An adapted regulatory framework that integrates data from different sources and comparing the outputs with estimates of exposure is required. Fast toxicology battery testing and toxicokinetic testing could improve speed of decision making. Hereby, several improvements have been proposed that could improve the current REACH legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lode Godderis
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department Public Health and Primary Care, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- External Service for Prevention and Protection at work, IDEWE, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Evi De Ryck
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department Public Health and Primary Care, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Willy Baeyens
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo- Chemistry, VUB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lieve Geerts
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research, VITO, Mol, Belgium
| | - Griet Jacobs
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research, VITO, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Birgit Mertens
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Guy Schroyen
- Institut Scientifique de Service Public, ISSeP, Liège, Belgium
| | - Frank Van Belleghem
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Open Universiteit, Heerlen, the Netherlands
- Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Vanoirbeek
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department Public Health and Primary Care, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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van Dijk J, Gustavsson M, Dekker SC, van Wezel AP. Towards 'one substance - one assessment': An analysis of EU chemical registration and aquatic risk assessment frameworks. J Environ Manage 2021; 280:111692. [PMID: 33293165 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
With the Green Deal the EU aims to achieve a circular economy, restore biodiversity and reduce environmental pollution. As a part of the Green Deal a 'one-substance one-assessment' (OS-OA) approach for chemicals has been proposed. The registration and risk assessment of chemicals on the European market is currently fragmented across different legal frameworks, dependent on the chemical's use. In this review, we analysed the five main European chemical registration frameworks and their risk assessment procedures for the freshwater environment, covering 1) medicines for human use, 2) veterinary medicines, 3) pesticides, 4) biocides and 5) industrial chemicals. Overall, the function of the current frameworks is similar, but important differences exist between the frameworks' environmental protection goals and risk assessment strategies. These differences result in inconsistent assessment outcomes for similar chemicals. Chemicals are also registered under multiple frameworks due to their multiple uses, and chemicals which are not approved under one framework are in some instances allowed on the market under other frameworks. In contrast, an OS-OA will require a uniform hazard assessment between all different frameworks. In addition, we show that across frameworks the industrial chemicals are the least hazardous for the freshwater environment (median PNEC of 2.60E-2 mg/L), whilst biocides are the most toxic following current regulatory assessment schemes (median PNEC of 1.82E-4 mg/L). Finally, in order to facilitate a successful move towards a OS-OA approach we recommend a) harmonisation of environmental protection goals and risk assessment strategies, b) that emission, use and production data should be made publicly available and that data sharing becomes a priority, and c) an alignment of the criteria used to classify problematic substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanke van Dijk
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, CB, Utrecht, 3584, the Netherlands.
| | - Mikael Gustavsson
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, SE-412 96, Sweden
| | - Stefan C Dekker
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, CB, Utrecht, 3584, the Netherlands
| | - Annemarie P van Wezel
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Sciencepark 904, XH Amsterdam, 1098, the Netherlands
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Mahony C, Ashton RS, Birk B, Boobis AR, Cull T, Daston GP, Ewart L, Knudsen TB, Manou I, Maurer-Stroh S, Margiotta-Casaluci L, Müller BP, Nordlund P, Roberts RA, Steger-Hartmann T, Vandenbossche E, Viant MR, Vinken M, Whelan M, Zvonimir Z, Cronin MTD. New ideas for non-animal approaches to predict repeated-dose systemic toxicity: Report from an EPAA Blue Sky Workshop. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 114:104668. [PMID: 32335207 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) convened a 'Blue Sky Workshop' on new ideas for non-animal approaches to predict repeated-dose systemic toxicity. The aim of the Workshop was to formulate strategic ideas to improve and increase the applicability, implementation and acceptance of modern non-animal methods to determine systemic toxicity. The Workshop concluded that good progress is being made to assess repeated dose toxicity without animals taking advantage of existing knowledge in toxicology, thresholds of toxicological concern, adverse outcome pathways and read-across workflows. These approaches can be supported by New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) utilising modern molecular technologies and computational methods. Recommendations from the Workshop were based around the needs for better chemical safety assessment: how to strengthen the evidence base for decision making; to develop, standardise and harmonise NAMs for human toxicity; and the improvement in the applicability and acceptance of novel techniques. "Disruptive thinking" is required to reconsider chemical legislation, validation of NAMs and the opportunities to move away from reliance on animal tests. Case study practices and data sharing, ensuring reproducibility of NAMs, were viewed as crucial to the improvement of non-animal test approaches for systemic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Randolph S Ashton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering & Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53715, USA.
| | - Barbara Birk
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Carl-Bosch-Straβe 38, 67056, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
| | - Alan R Boobis
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Tom Cull
- Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford, MK44 1LQ, UK.
| | - George P Daston
- Mason Business Center, The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH, 45040, USA.
| | - Lorna Ewart
- Veroli Consulting Limited, Cambridge, UK; Emulate Inc, 27 Dry Dock Avenue, Boston, MA, 02210, USA.
| | - Thomas B Knudsen
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA.
| | - Irene Manou
- European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) Industry Secretariat, Belgium.
| | - Sebastian Maurer-Stroh
- Innovations in Chemical and Food Safety, Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street #07-01 Matrix, Singapore, 138671, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
| | | | | | - Pär Nordlund
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden; Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, 138673, Singapore.
| | - Ruth A Roberts
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Thomas Steger-Hartmann
- Investigational Toxicology, Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Müllerstraβe 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | - Mark R Viant
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Maurice Whelan
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Italy.
| | - Zvonar Zvonimir
- European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) Industry Secretariat, Belgium.
| | - Mark T D Cronin
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
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Brack W, Dulio V, Ågerstrand M, Allan I, Altenburger R, Brinkmann M, Bunke D, Burgess RM, Cousins I, Escher BI, Hernández FJ, Hewitt LM, Hilscherová K, Hollender J, Hollert H, Kase R, Klauer B, Lindim C, Herráez DL, Miège C, Munthe J, O'Toole S, Posthuma L, Rüdel H, Schäfer RB, Sengl M, Smedes F, van de Meent D, van den Brink PJ, van Gils J, van Wezel AP, Vethaak AD, Vermeirssen E, von der Ohe PC, Vrana B. Towards the review of the European Union Water Framework Directive: Recommendations for more efficient assessment and management of chemical contamination in European surface water resources. Sci Total Environ 2017; 576:720-737. [PMID: 27810758 PMCID: PMC8281610 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Water is a vital resource for natural ecosystems and human life, and assuring a high quality of water and protecting it from chemical contamination is a major societal goal in the European Union. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) and its daughter directives are the major body of legislation for the protection and sustainable use of European freshwater resources. The practical implementation of the WFD with regard to chemical pollution has faced some challenges. In support of the upcoming WFD review in 2019 the research project SOLUTIONS and the European monitoring network NORMAN has analyzed these challenges, evaluated the state-of-the-art of the science and suggested possible solutions. We give 10 recommendations to improve monitoring and to strengthen comprehensive prioritization, to foster consistent assessment and to support solution-oriented management of surface waters. The integration of effect-based tools, the application of passive sampling for bioaccumulative chemicals and an integrated strategy for prioritization of contaminants, accounting for knowledge gaps, are seen as important approaches to advance monitoring. Including all relevant chemical contaminants in more holistic "chemical status" assessment, using effect-based trigger values to address priority mixtures of chemicals, to better consider historical burdens accumulated in sediments and to use models to fill data gaps are recommended for a consistent assessment of contamination. Solution-oriented management should apply a tiered approach in investigative monitoring to identify toxicity drivers, strengthen consistent legislative frameworks and apply solutions-oriented approaches that explore risk reduction scenarios before and along with risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Brack
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Valeria Dulio
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques INERIS, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Marlene Ågerstrand
- ACES - Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian Allan
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway
| | - Rolf Altenburger
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Dirk Bunke
- Oeko-Institut e.V. - Institute for Applied Ecology, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert M Burgess
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD, NHEERL, Atlantic Ecology Division, Narrangansett, RI, USA
| | - Ian Cousins
- ACES - Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Beate I Escher
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - L Mark Hewitt
- Aquatic Ecosystem Protection Research Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Klára Hilscherová
- Masaryk University, Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Juliane Hollender
- EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Robert Kase
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, Eawag-EPFL, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Klauer
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Lindim
- ACES - Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Cécil Miège
- IRSTEA - UR MALY, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - John Munthe
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Leo Posthuma
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Heinz Rüdel
- Fraunhofer Inst Mol Biol & Appl Ecol IME, Aberg 1, D-57392 Schmallenberg, Germany
| | | | - Manfred Sengl
- Bavarian Environmental Agency, D-86179 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Foppe Smedes
- Masaryk University, Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Paul J van den Brink
- Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Annemarie P van Wezel
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands; Copernicus Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A Dick Vethaak
- Deltares, Delft, The Netherlands; VU University Amsterdam, Institute for Environmental Studies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Etienne Vermeirssen
- EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Branislav Vrana
- Masaryk University, Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Brno, Czech Republic
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Ågerstrand M, Beronius A. Weight of evidence evaluation and systematic review in EU chemical risk assessment: Foundation is laid but guidance is needed. Environ Int 2016; 92-93:590-596. [PMID: 26682868 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this review was to investigate if and how the application of weight of evidence (WoE) evaluation or systematic review (SR) in chemical risk assessment is promoted within different regulatory frameworks in the European Union. Legislative and relevant guidance documents within nine regulatory frameworks were scrutinized and compared. WoE evaluation or SR is promoted in seven of the investigated frameworks but sufficient guidance for how to perform these processes is generally lacking. None of the investigated frameworks give enough guidance for generating robust and reproducible WoE evaluations or SRs. In conclusion, the foundation for use of WoE evaluation and SR is laid in the majority of the investigated frameworks, but there is a need to provide more structured and detailed guidance. In order to make the process of developing guidance as efficient as possible, and to ensure smooth transfer of risk assessment's between frameworks if a chemical is risk assessed both as, for example, a biocide and an industrial chemical, it is recommended that guidance is developed jointly by the European regulatory agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Ågerstrand
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Anna Beronius
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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