STEP 3: Environmental Fate and Effects
The toxicity data for environmental indicator species are obtained from the literature, from historical P&G records or from laboratory testing. In some instances, toxicity estimates from Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (
QSAR) may suffice, such as for a low volume ingredient or an ingredient with very low toxicity or both. However, the uncertainty associated with QSAR estimates is much higher than with measured values, and this uncertainty has to be taken into account in the risk assessment via the use of assessment factors. These factors are used to divide the lowest available effect level (or no observed effect level in case of tiers 3 and 4 tests) to derive a Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC) for the ecosystem.
Information about the environmental fate of the ingredient is needed as well and may be obtained from the literature, historical P&G records or laboratory testing. Here, the physical/chemical properties provide valuable information about the likely partitioning behaviour of the ingredient in the environment. For instance, poorly soluble ingredients will be highly removed in sewage treatment. Ingredients that are very sorptive to organic matter will be highly removed as well, but for a different reason.
QSAR) may suffice, such as for a low volume ingredient or an ingredient with very low toxicity or both. However, the uncertainty associated with QSAR estimates is much higher than with measured values, and this uncertainty has to be taken into account in the risk assessment via the use of assessment factors. These factors are used to divide the lowest available effect level (or no observed effect level in case of tiers 3 and 4 tests) to derive a Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC) for the ecosystem.Information about the environmental fate of the ingredient is needed as well and may be obtained from the literature, historical P&G records or laboratory testing. Here, the physical/chemical properties provide valuable information about the likely partitioning behaviour of the ingredient in the environment. For instance, poorly soluble ingredients will be highly removed in sewage treatment. Ingredients that are very sorptive to organic matter will be highly removed as well, but for a different reason.
Read about the next step:Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment