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SCHEER - Scientific Opinion on "Draft Environmental Quality Standards for Priority Substances under the Water Framework Directive" - Chlorpyrifos

Final Opinion

Description

SCHEER WG on Water Framework Directive
SCHEER members: Marian Scott (Chair), Marco Vighi (Rapporteur), Thomas Backhaus, Teresa Borges, Peter Hoet, Pim de Voogt, Rodica Mariana Ion
External experts: Andrew Johnson, Jan Linders
Contact:SANTE-C2-SCHEERatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (SANTE-C2-SCHEER[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
On request from: European Commission
Adopted on: 15-16 June 2022

The dossier on Environmental Quality Standards for “Chlorpyrifos” is reviewed by the SCHEER according to the general mandate on EQS dossiers.

The SCHEER agrees with the final MAC-QSfw, eco = 2.6 ng L-1 and MAC-QSsw, eco = 0.52 ng L-1, derived with a probabilistic procedure, on the basis of the data provided in the dossier. However, it is the opinion of the SCHEER that the availability of reliable data in the literature should be carefully checked.

The SCHEER accepts with reservations the deterministic AA-QSfw, eco = 0.00046 μg L-1 and AA-QSsw, eco = 0.046 ng L-1. The availability of reliable chronic data, including mesocosm studies, should be carefully checked.

For sediment ecotoxicity, the equilibrium partitioning procedure is applied, considering the scarcity of data, giving the results of QSsediment, fw EqP = 0.014 μg kg-1dw and QSsediment , sw EqPdw = 0.0014 μg kg-1dw. It is the opinion of the SCHEER that the procedure is correctly applied. However, the availability of reliable sediment data should be carefully checked.

For secondary poisoning, the method based on energy normalised diet concentrations is applied giving the results of QS fw, biota,secpois = 0.044 mg kg-1 for fish and QS fw, biota, secpois = 0.012 mg kg-1 for bivalves. The back-calculation to water was performed only for fish leading to a QSfw, biota = 1.1 ng L-1. No BCF values are available for molluscs.

To protect top-predators the calculated values are QS biota, secpois, sw =0.0022 mg kg -1 for fish and QS biota, secpois, sw = 0.0013 mg kg -1 for molluscs. The back-calculation to water was performed only for fish leading to a QSsw, biota = 0.057 ng L-1.

It is the opinion of the SCHEER that the procedures are properly applied. Therefore, the SCHEER endorses all the QSs for secondary poisoning.

For human health, the value of QSbiota, hh= 120 μg kg-1biota and the QSwater, hh food = 3.2 ng L-1 are calculated, using the ADI of 0.001 mg kgbw-1 day-1, proposed by EFSA (2014). However, in a more recent EFSA assessment (EFSA, 2019), no human health reference value could be derived due to potential genotoxicity and the fact that the effects seen at the LOAEL of the key study (rat DNT) are considered biologically relevant for children (developmental neurotoxicity) and no NOAEL could be identified. Therefore, the SCHEER is of the opinion that the ADI given in the dossier must be considered with reservation and the EQS regarded as provisional.

For the exposure via drinking water, the SCHEER agrees with the adoption of the general drinking water standard for pesticides (QSdw,hh = 0.1 μg L-1).

The most critical EQS (in terms of impact on environment/health) has been identified as the AA-QSsw, eco = 0.046 ng L-1.

Keywords:

chlorpyrifos, Water Framework Directive, environmental quality standards

Opinion to be cited as:

SCHEER (Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks), Final Opinion on Draft Environmental Quality Standards for Priority Substances under the Water Framework Directive - Chlorpyrifos, 15-16 June 2022.

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11 MAY 2022
scheer_o_039.pdf
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