Report recommends new research into probabilistic risk assessment
A report of the European workshop on probabilistic risk assessment (EUPRA) has recommended a number of areas where research is necessary in order to implement new approaches to assessing pesticide risks to the environment. Probabilistic risk assessment is used to estimate the frequency and magnitude of adverse effects from pesticides. At an EUPRA workshop held in June 2001 and funded by the European Commission, participants recommended that the EU adopt a coordinated, strategic approach to the implementation of probabilistic methods in collaboration with other countries and stakeholders. Research should however be conducted in order to validate probabilistic approaches. Specific research is also needed in order to develop probabilistic approaches for many sources of uncertainty affecting ecological risks of pesticides, concludes the report. Three areas highlighted for research are aquatic organisms, terrestrial vertebrates and terrestrial invertebrates and plants. In the field of aquatic organisms, the report recommends research into discrepancies between exposure in laboratory studies and in the field, uncertainties in the exposure scenario and variability in the landscape, variation in sensitivity between species and what level of effect is acceptable. On terrestrial vertebrates, the report proposes research into intra- and inter-species variation in sensitivity, behaviour and natural history, spatial distribution of residues, residues dynamics, avoidance and attraction of contaminated food, effects on populations and communities and non-dietary routes of exposure. Research on terrestrial invertebrates and plants should investigate factors affecting exposure, interspecies variation in sensitivity, extrapolation from effects on individuals to populations, extrapolating acute to chronic effects, regional variation in sensitivity and the presence of sensitive or robust life stages, according to the report. The report adds that where similar issues need to be addressed for different groups of organisms, it may be efficient to coordinate the necessary research in a single project or set of linked projects.