Current situation of environmental risk assessment and efforts to develop eco-friendly agrochemicals

Abstract

It is important to ensure the safety for wildlife in the use of agrochemicals. A huge number of toxicity tests with various kinds of species are necessary for environmental risk assessment (ERA). As a basic concept, the ERA based on the comparison between Predicted Environmental Concentration (PEC) and Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC) is commonly employed by many countries. In case of PEC/PNEC≧1, further studies and/or restriction of usage will be required. An overview of the ERA process in the world and examples of efforts to develop eco-friendly products will be presented.