Updating the Guidelines for Assessing Toxic Substances

Brussels, November 18 (ots/PRNewswire) - The current issue of
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, a journal
published by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
(SETAC), features a special series of papers generated from the SETAC
workshop "Science-Based Guidance and Framework for the Evaluation and
Identification of PBTs and POPs."

Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances (PBTs) and
persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are regulated by many regional,
national, and global conventions. Despite growing worldwide concerns
about contamination and the safety of our food supply, advances in
chemistry, information, and other technologies during the past two
decades are not being sufficiently applied. As a result, effective
guidance for the identification, assessment, and management of these
substances is limited and often out-of-date.

These articles convey the key elements of the current state of
the science, the evolution of scientific understanding, and the
challenges for future worldwide regulation of PBT chemicals and POPs.
The series is based around the intensive science and regulatory
policy deliberations that took place during a SETAC international
workshop, held in January 2008. The meeting was the largest gathering
of international experts on this issue to date. The views of the
participants at that meeting, representing broad international
perspectives from academia, government, and industry, will influence
science and environmental policy at future international treaty
conventions on this topic.

In the introduction to this special series, workshop co-chairmen,
Dr. Derek Muir from Environment Canada and Dr. Gary Klecka from The
Dow Chemical Company state: "We believe that the 9 articles in this
special issue provide a scientific consensus on tools and approaches
and an excellent framework for future national and international
assessments of chemicals regarding their persistence,
bioaccumulation, environmental toxicity, long-range transport, and
potential for significant adverse effects."

"Introduction to Special Series: Science-Based Guidance and
Framework for the Evaluation and Identification of PBTs and POPs,"
(Vol. 5(4):535-538; October 2009) is available at http://allenpress.c
om/system/files/pdfs/emails/2009/09/ieam-05-04-535-538.pdf

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management is published
quarterly by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
(SETAC) and focuses on the application of science in environmental
decision-making, regulation, and management, including aspects of
policy and law and the development of scientifically sound approaches
to environmental problem solving. To learn more about the society,
please visit http://www.setac.org.

ots Originaltext: SETAC Europe -the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For further information: Robin Barker, Allen Press, Inc.
+1-800-627-0326
ext. 410 rbarker@allenpress.com