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Harris CA, Scott AP, Johnson AC, Panter GH, Sheahan D, Roberts M, Sumpter JP. Principles of sound ecotoxicology. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:3100-11. [PMID: 24512103 DOI: 10.1021/es4047507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We have become progressively more concerned about the quality of some published ecotoxicology research. Others have also expressed concern. It is not uncommon for basic, but extremely important, factors to apparently be ignored. For example, exposure concentrations in laboratory experiments are sometimes not measured, and hence there is no evidence that the test organisms were actually exposed to the test substance, let alone at the stated concentrations. To try to improve the quality of ecotoxicology research, we suggest 12 basic principles that should be considered, not at the point of publication of the results, but during the experimental design. These principles range from carefully considering essential aspects of experimental design through to accurately defining the exposure, as well as unbiased analysis and reporting of the results. Although not all principles will apply to all studies, we offer these principles in the hope that they will improve the quality of the science that is available to regulators. Science is an evidence-based discipline and it is important that we and the regulators can trust the evidence presented to us. Significant resources often have to be devoted to refuting the results of poor research when those resources could be utilized more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Harris
- Institute for the Environment, Brunel University , Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
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Olivieri A, Degenhardt OS, McDonald GR, Narang D, Paulsen IM, Kozuska JL, Holt A. On the disruption of biochemical and biological assays by chemicals leaching from disposable laboratory plasticware. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2012; 90:697-703. [DOI: 10.1139/y2012-049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Plastic consumables, used universally in bioscience laboratories, are presumed inert with respect to bioassay outcomes. However, it is clear that many pipette tips, microfuge tubes, and other plastic disposables leach bioactive compounds into assay solutions, profoundly affecting data and experimental interpretation. In this paper we discuss the nature and sources of leachates and review several examples of compromised bioassay data that speak to the probable widespread nature of this largely unrecognised source of error. Strategies for minimizing leachate interferences are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Olivieri
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 9-70 Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Owen S. Degenhardt
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 9-70 Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - G. Reid McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 9-70 Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Deepak Narang
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 9-70 Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Isabelle M. Paulsen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 9-70 Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Janna L. Kozuska
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 9-70 Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Andrew Holt
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 9-70 Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
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