1981 年 27 巻 2 号 p. 69-84
A multitude of non-biological substances are being produced at present in an attempt to provide a steadily increasing world population with better living conditions. This industrial activity causes measurable changes in the material quality of the environment. A comprehensive and thorough assessment of the effects of all the chemical compounds which are found widespread in the environment is not possible because of the overwhelming number of such products. In order to detect any undesired effects upon the natural environment as early as possible, it is essential to investigate representative model substances which are suitable for such studies because of their production levels, areas of application, persistence, distribution behaviour, degradability and expected biological activity. These topics are also the bases for the present world-wide activities as regards environmental chemicals laws. Since a large number of single factors determine the behaviour of chemicals in the environment, it is necessary to use step-wise elucidations for legal purposes. This is achieved by estimating the ecotoxicological behaviour by physico-chemical characteristics and upon feasible test procedures. At present, globally about 50000 chemicals are produced and used with an integral production level of about 150 million tons annually. Realizing this it is evident that a well structured assessment of their ecotoxicological potential is needed according to appropriate criteria. These are for individual chemicals : production level, use pattern, dispersion tendency, persistence, biotic and abiotic conversion, and biological activity. In principle, there are different approaches for assessment : Monitoring, Occurrence and Effects in Ecosystems This results in real data both for occurrence and changing the physical environment as well as populations of flora and fauna but gives no immediate prospective information. Assessment of Trends in Occurrence and Effects (Environmental specimen banking and long-term monitoring) This approach allows by backward analyses of stored samples estimation of trends in the occurrence of a chemical. Its correlation with long-term ecological monitoring allows for prospective evaluation. Simulation of the Environment Simulation experiments give rather good data for the estimation of the fate of chemicals in the environment. With respect to effects on organisms they are limited except the most sensitive indicator organisms or indicatory effects are available. Screening in Simple Test Procedures This gives indications on the potential for occurrence and effects and should be used mainly on a comparative basis. According to the potential of a chemical for ecotoxicological effects derived from production and fate (exposure probability), the approaches have to be selected as appropriate.
