SCOPE 53 - Methods to Assess the Effects of Chemicals On Ecosystems

Foreword

Evaluation of the effects of chemicals on the environment as well as human health is an important part of the mandate of the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), a collaborative undertaking of the United Nations Environmental Programme, the International Labour Organisation, and the World Health Organization. The development of scientifically sound methodology for the assessment of human health and environmental risk continues to be an important component of the overall IPCS activities. Without appropriate methodology, adequate protection of human health and the environment will be impossible.

Many chemicals, both man-made and natural, are capable of causing damage to ecosystems, by altering the structure or function of important components such as the trees, avian species, terrestrial animals, or soil micro-organisms. The complexity of the field and the rapid development of knowledge related to anatomic and biochemical alterations makes it extremely difficult to integrate this information into ecological management programmes. However, this can be accomplished when research scientists are given an opportunity to discuss their findings with scientists having the responsibility for the assessment and management of ecological risks from exposure to man-made and naturally occurring chemicals. By convening the workshop on "Methods to Assess the Effects of Chemicals on Ecosystems," the Scientific Group on Methodologies for the Safety Evaluation of Chemicals (SGOMSEC) has provided such an opportunity.

The in-depth scientific review made by world leaders in the field will provide much needed guidance to those asked to use the results from experimental and field studies to assess ecosystem risks from chemicals. Hopefully, the results of this SGOMSEC activity will assist in developing harmonized approaches to the assessment of ecosystem risks from chemicals and to a better integration of both human health and environmental data into a unified risk assessment framework to improve public health and environmental protection worldwide.