Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Protection 1989), Howard (1990, 1991), KemI (Swedish Chemicals Agency 1989),
MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Japan 1992), Nikunen et al.
(1990), Roth (1993), and Verschueren (1983). Databases include AQUIRE
(1981-present), BIODEG (1992), and LOGKOW (1994). Biodegradability data are
estimated using the BIODEG (1992) probability program, when measured data are
not available. Literature searches reach back to 1985 and are conducted using
BIOSIS. Details of a BIOSIS search profile are given in Annex 2 of Samsoe-
Petersen and Pedersen (1995).
For derivation of criteria in Australia and New Zealand (ANZECC and
ARMCANZ 2000), data are collected from international criteria documents, the
USEPA AQUIRE database, and papers from the open literature that include acute
and chronic toxicity data from field, semi-field, and laboratory data, an internal
database, and review papers on ecotoxicology. Physical-chemical data are drawn
from electronic databases (such as HSDB - Hazardous Substances Data Bank,
available via Toxnet at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/) and from Verscheuren (1983;
most recent version 2001 CD-ROM) and Hansch et al. (1995). Spanish guidelines
(Lepper 2002) specify that published data from all sources may be used to derive
criteria. Principal data sources used are on-line databases (e.g., AQUIRE, POLTOX,
and MEDLINE ) and published WQOs.
In the UK, data for EQS derivation are taken from published literature, commercial
databases, and unpublished sources (such as manufacturer data; Zabel and Cole
1999). The Canadian guidelines (CCME 1999) indicate what kinds of data should be
sought, but do not specify data sources. OECD (1995), German (BMU 2001; Irmer
et al. 1995), USEPA (1985), EU (ECB 2003; Bro-Rasmussen 1994), France (Lepper
2002), and South African (Roux et al. 1996) guidelines contain no specifics regarding
where to find data or what constitutes an adequate literature search.
Without specific requirements for data sources and literature searches, data sets
used in criteria derivation could be unnecessarily biased (unnecessary because
acceptable data may be overlooked). To ensure inclusion of all relevant data, specific
guidance should be part of a derivation methodology.
6.2
Data Quality
To minimize uncertainty in water quality criteria, only data that meet stated quality
standards should be used in criteria derivation. Toxicity and physical-chemical data
should be from studies conducted according to accepted protocols that are appropriate
for the chemical and the organism being tested. All of the reviewed criteria derivation
methodologies have specific data quality requirements for physical-chemical data,
as well as for ecotoxicity data. In terms of quality, some, such as France, Germany,
and Spain, simply state that tests have to be conducted according to accepted, stand-
ardized protocols, or according to principles of good laboratory practice (Lepper
2002; BMU 2001; Irmer et al. 1995). Others list very specific data requirements,
examples of which are discussed below.
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