REACHing for divergence?-UK chemical regulation post-Brexit

On 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom formally exited the European Union (EU; Brexit) and ceased to be subject to EU chemical regulation requirements. Before Brexit, UK chemical policy was regulated largely by the EU. With its large internal market, sophisticated regulatory capability, and stringent regulatory framework, the EU has become the world's leading regulatory state, regularly influencing global industrial decisions and practices. At the time of writing, there has been limited academic analysis of the implications of Brexit for UK chemical regulation. More than two years post-Brexit, we have the opportunity to assess UK chemical regulation and revisit early expectations about regulatory divergence. This article takes the EU's Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as a case study to analyze patterns of post-Brexit regulatory divergence, thereby providing one of the first analyses of the implications of Brexit on UK chemical regulation. Through the analysis and review of key documents and reports (n = 99), this article assesses the extent to which UK and EU regulatory (REACH) regimes are beginning to diverge and discusses the potential implications of any divergence for the United Kingdom. We find that the UK and EU chemical regulatory regimes are now evolving independently and provide clear, empirical evidence of an emerging divergence in regulatory decisions, ambitions, and approaches. The evidence suggests that the United Kingdom is currently unable to keep pace with EU developments, lacking the capacity, expertise, and capability of its EU counterparts, raising the prospect of further divergence in the future. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-10. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Regulatory Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: Current Practice and Future Priorities

How can data on the occurrence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment and the quality of ecosystems exposed to PPCPs be used to determine whether current regulatory risk assessment schemes are effective? This is one of 20 "big questions" concerning PPCPs in the environment posed in a landmark review paper in 2012. Ten years later, we review the developments around this question, focusing on the first P in PPCPs, that is, pharmaceuticals, or more specifically the active ingredients included in them (active pharmaceutical ingredients, APIs). We illustrate how extensive data on both the occurrence of APIs and the ecotoxicological sensitivity of aquatic species to them can be used in a retrospective risk assessment. In the Netherlands, current regulatory risk assessment schemes offer insufficient protection against direct ecotoxicological effects from APIs: the toxic pressure exerted by the 39 APIs included in our study exceeds the policy-related protective threshold of 0.05 (the "95%-protection level") in at least 13% of sampled surface waters. In general, anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products (e.g., diclofenac, ibuprofen) contributed most to the overall toxic pressure, followed by sex hormones and modulators of the genital system (e.g., ethinylestradiol) and psychoanaleptics (e.g., caffeine). We formulated three open questions for future research. The first relates to improving the availability and accessibility of good-quality ecotoxicity data on pharmaceuticals for the global scientific, regulatory, and general public. The second relates to the adaptation of regulatory risk assessment frameworks for developing regions of the world. The third relates to the integration of effect-based and ecological approaches into regulatory risk assessment practice. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:611-622. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Towards a more effective reach legislation in protecting human health more effective reach in protecting human health

There is growing evidence indicating the substantial contribution of man-made products to an increase in the risk of diseases of civilization. In this article, the Belgian Scientific Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of CHemicals (REACH) Committee gives a critical view on the working of REACH. The current regulatory framework needs to further evolve taking into account data generated using modern science and technology. There is a need for improved assessment process not only before but also after entering the market. Objectivity, transparency, and the follow-up after market access can be optimized. Additionally, no guidance documents exist for regulation of mixture effects. Further, the lengthiness before regulatory action is a big concern. Decision making often takes several years leading to uncertainties for both producers and end users. A first proposed improvement is the implementation of independent toxicity testing, to assure objectivity, transparency, and check and improve compliance. A "no data, no market" principle could prevent access of hazardous chemicals to the market. Additionally, the introduction of novel testing could improve information on endpoints such as endocrine disrupting abilities, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. An adapted regulatory framework that integrates data from different sources and comparing the outputs with estimates of exposure is required. Fast toxicology battery testing and toxicokinetic testing could improve speed of decision making. Hereby, several improvements have been proposed that could improve the current REACH legislation.

Opportunities to tackle antibiotic resistance development in the aquatic environment through the Water Framework Directive

Antibiotics are critical components of modern health care. Protecting their efficacy through managing the rise in antibiotic resistance is therefore a global concern. It is not known to what extent environmental pollution from antibiotics contributes to the development of resistance, but encountered concentrations are frequently above concentrations predicted to select for resistance. Hence, measures are needed to manage risks. Here, we analyse if the indirect health risks from antibiotics in the aquatic environment can be considered in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive and the setting of environmental quality standards (EQS). By scrutinising current legislation, we conclude that it is possible to take the indirect health risks from antimicrobial resistance into account when deriving EQS for substances with antibiotic activity. We base this on the following conclusions: (1) human health concerns can be the main driver when setting an EQS, (2) an EQS can be based on data not specified in the guidance document, and (3) there are no restrictions against establishing EQS using data on antimicrobial resistance properties. In addition, since antimicrobial resistance travel across borders, we see strong reasons to prioritise setting these EQS on the EU level over the national level. Even though there is no agreed-upon method for how to develop EQS protective against resistance selection, there are several suggestions available in the literature and a couple of examples of regulatory initiatives. Also, addressing antimicrobial resistance through the Water Framework Directive can act as a driving force for other applicable legislation where such risks are not considered. We end by providing a set of recommendations for the European Commission and the Members States' future work on addressing aquatic pollution and antimicrobial resistance.

New insights on in vitro biotransformation of anticoagulant rodenticides in fish

The assessment of the bioaccumulation potential of chemicals is an essential and mandatory part of their regulatory environmental risk and hazard assessment. So far, in vitro data on fish metabolism is rarely available for biocidal active substances such as anticoagulant rodenticides. In this case study we present in vitro biotransformation rates of eight biocidal and one pharmaceutical anticoagulants in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver subcellular S9 fraction (RT-S9) determined following the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development test guideline 319B method at two different incubation temperatures (i.e., 12 ± 1 °C and 23 ± 2 °C). Furthermore, we address challenges associated with the usability and interpretation of in vitro data to support the decision making within the regulatory bioaccumulation assessment in bridging the gap between in silico methods and in vivo studies. According to our results, four of the tested substances (i.e., chlorophacinone, coumatetralyl, bromadiolone, and difenacoum) exhibited significant intrinsic clearance (p < .001) in the RT-S9 assay. Overall, the observed metabolism was (very) slow and clearance rates were temperature-dependent. Whether the determined in vitro biotransformation rate had a substantial influence on the predicted bioconcentration factor during extrapolation was subject to the lipophilicity of the test substance. Further improvements of existing concepts are needed to overcome uncertainties in the prediction of bioconcentration factors for chemicals such as anticoagulants.

An atlas of fragrance chemicals in children's products

Exposure to environmental chemicals during early childhood is a potential health concern. At a tender age, children are exposed to fragrance chemicals used in toys and child care products. Although there are few initiatives in Europe and United States towards monitoring and regulation of fragrance chemicals in children's products, such efforts are still lacking elsewhere. Besides there has been no systematic effort to create a database compiling the surrounding knowledge on fragrance chemicals used in children's products from published literature. Here, we built a database of Fragrance Chemicals in Children's Products (FCCP) that compiles information on 153 fragrance chemicals from published literature. The fragrance chemicals in FCCP have been classified based on their chemical structure, children's product source, chemical origin and odor profile. Moreover, we have also compiled the physicochemical properties, predicted Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) properties, molecular descriptors and human target genes for the fragrance chemicals in FCCP. After building FCCP, we performed multiple analyses of the associated fragrance chemical space. Firstly, we assessed the regulatory status of the fragrance chemicals in FCCP through a comparative analysis with 21 chemical lists reflecting current guidelines or regulations. We find that several fragrance chemicals in children's products are potential carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxicants, phytotoxins and skin sensitizers. Secondly, we performed a similarity network based analysis of the fragrance chemicals in children's products to reveal the high structural diversity of the associated chemical space. Lastly, we identified skin sensitizing fragrance chemicals in children's products using ToxCast assays. In a nutshell, we present a comprehensive resource and detailed analysis of fragrance chemicals in children's products highlighting the need for their better risk assessment and regulation to deliver safer products for children. FCCP is accessible at: https://cb.imsc.res.in/fccp.

Assessing chemical risk within an ecosystem services framework: Implementation and added value

An ecosystem services (ES) approach to chemical risk assessment has many potential advantages, but there are also substantial challenges regarding its implementation. We report the findings of a multi-stakeholder workshop that evaluated the feasibility of adopting an ES approach to chemical risk assessment using currently available tools and data. Also evaluated is the added value such an approach would bring to environmental decision making. The aim was to build consensus across disparate stakeholders and to co-produce a common understanding of the regulatory benefits and feasibility of implementing an ES approach in European chemicals regulation. Workshop discussions were informed by proof of concept studies and resulted in the development of a novel tiered framework for assessing chemical risk to ES delivery. There was consensus on the substantial added value of adopting an ES-based approach for regulatory decision making. Ecosystem services provide a common currency and a 'unifying approach' across environmental compartments, stressors and regulatory frameworks. The ES approach informs prioritisation of risk and remedial action and aids risk communication and risk management. It facilitates a more holistic assessment, enables ES trade-offs to be compared across alternative interventions, and supports comparative risk assessments and a socio-economic analysis of management options and decisions. Key to realising this added value is a shift away from using a single threshold value to categorise risk, towards a consideration of the exposure-effect distribution for individual ES of interest. Also required is the development of an integrated systems-level approach across regulatory frameworks and agreement on specific protection goals and scenarios for framing environmental risk assessments. The need to further develop tools for extrapolating toxicity data to service providers and ES delivery, including logic chains and ecological production functions, was highlighted. Also agreed was the need for methods and metrics for ES valuation to be used in assessing trade-offs.

NeurotoxKb 1.0: Compilation, curation and exploration of a knowledgebase of environmental neurotoxicants specific to mammals

Exposure to environmental neurotoxicants is a significant concern due to their potential to cause permanent or irreversible damage to the human nervous system. Here, we present the first dedicated knowledgebase, NeurotoxKb 1.0, on environmental neurotoxicants specific to mammals. Using a detailed workflow, we have compiled 475 potential non-biogenic neurotoxicants from 835 published studies with evidence of neurotoxicity specific to mammals. A unique feature of NeurotoxKb 1.0 is the manual curation effort to compile and standardize the observed neurotoxic effects for the potential neurotoxicants from 835 published studies. For the 475 potential neurotoxicants, we have compiled diverse information such as chemical structures, environmental sources, chemical classification, physicochemical properties, molecular descriptors, predicted ADMET properties, and target human genes. To better understand the prospect of human exposure, we have explored the presence of potential neurotoxicants in external exposomes via two different analyses. By analyzing 55 chemical lists representing global regulations and guidelines, we reveal potential neurotoxicants both in regular use and produced in high volume. By analyzing human biospecimens, we reveal potential neurotoxicants detected in them. Lastly, a construction of the chemical similarity network and ensuing analysis revealed the diversity of the toxicological space of 475 potential neurotoxicants. NeurotoxKb 1.0 is accessible online at: https://cb.imsc.res.in/neurotoxkb/.

Endocrine disruptor global policy

Over the past several decades, scientific consensus has grown around the concept and evidence for human health impacts from exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). A series of publications have now demonstrated considerable economic costs of EDC exposure-induced adverse health outcomes. This research has suggested economic burdens in the hundreds of billions, even considering only a small subset of EDCs and health. As of yet, regulatory efforts and policies to protect and decrease human exposure to most EDCs have been insufficient and have not kept pace with the science. Given the overwhelming scientific evidence, referenced throughout this collection, as well as the economic costs of inaction, described here, regulations are clearly needed. The EU and some other countries have taken promising steps towards protective regulation of EDCs, though the response of the US and many other countries has been limited or altogether lacking. Regulatory bodies that have and continue to apply risk-based approaches to regulating EDCs have also failed to consider the complete economic impacts of EDC-related health impacts. In this chapter, we will discuss broad strategies taken to regulate EDCs, examine the approaches currently taken to regulate EDCs in a global context (discussing the strengths and weaknesses of these regulations), discuss the economic costs of EDC exposures (detailing where consideration of health and economic costs could improve regulations), and discuss next steps and novel approaches to adapting existing regulatory frameworks to this class of chemicals.

Revisiting old lessons from classic literature on persistent global pollutants : This article belongs to Ambio's 50th Anniversary Collection. Theme: Environmental contaminants

Looking back 50 years at classic literature was a reminder of inspiring discoveries and clever theories that were formative to the field of environmental chemistry, but also of the irreparable costs that persistent global pollutants have had on ecosystems and human society. In my view, these three papers have greatly impacted contemporary science and influenced development of policies that have limited the spread of hazardous contaminants. At the same time, a sobering reality is that reversing decades of past pollution has proven impossible in our lifetime, and global trends are dire for both legacy and emerging contaminants. Lessons in these papers are clear to most environmental scientists, but I argue have not resulted in adequate investment in infrastructure or manpower to enable systematic unbiased searching for pollutants as proposed by Sören Jensen in 1972. Acknowledging that the costs of new global contaminants will be too high, we must incentivize safer chemicals and their sustainable use, increase international exchange of lists of chemicals in commerce, and coordinate international efforts in nontarget screening to identify new contaminants before they circulate the world.

DEDuCT 2.0: An updated knowledgebase and an exploration of the current regulations and guidelines from the perspective of endocrine disrupting chemicals

The regulatory assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is complex due to the lack of a standardized definition of EDCs and validated testing criteria. In spite of these challenges, there is growing scientific interest in EDCs which has resulted in the rapid expansion of published literature on endocrine disruption upon chemical exposure. Here, we explore how academic research leading to curated knowledgebases can inform current chemical regulations on EDCs. To this end, we present an updated knowledgebase, DEDuCT 2.0, containing 792 potential EDCs with supporting evidence from 2218 research articles. Thereafter, we study the distribution of potential EDCs across several chemical lists that reflect guidelines for use or regulations. Further, to understand the scale of possible exposure to the potential EDCs present in chemical lists, we compare them with high production volume chemicals. Notably, we find many potential EDCs are in use across various product categories such as 'Food additives and Food contact materials' and 'Cosmetics and household products'. Several of these EDCs are also produced or manufactured in high volume across the world. Lastly, we illustrate using an example how diverse information in curated knowledgebases such as DEDuCT 2.0 can be helpful in the risk assessment of EDCs. In sum, we highlight the need to bridge the gap between academic and regulatory aspects of chemical safety, as a step towards the better management of environment and health hazards such as EDCs.

Key Opportunities to Replace, Reduce, and Refine Regulatory Fish Acute Toxicity Tests

Fish acute toxicity tests are conducted as part of regulatory hazard identification and risk-assessment packages for industrial chemicals and plant protection products. The aim of these tests is to determine the concentration which would be lethal to 50% of the animals treated. These tests are therefore associated with suffering in the test animals, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development test guideline 203 (fish, acute toxicity) studies are the most widely conducted regulatory vertebrate ecotoxicology tests for prospective chemical safety assessment. There is great scope to apply the 3Rs principles-the reduction, refinement, and replacement of animals-in this area of testing. An expert ecotoxicology working group, led by the UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, including members from government, academia, and industry, reviewed global fish acute test data requirements for the major chemical sectors. The present study highlights ongoing initiatives and provides an overview of the key challenges and opportunities associated with replacing, reducing, and/or refining fish acute toxicity studies-without compromising environmental protection. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2076-2089. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Property Estimation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: A Comparative Assessment of Estimation Methods

To accurately predict the environmental fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), high-quality physicochemical property data are required. Because such data are often not available from experiments, assessment of the accuracy of existing property estimation models is essential. The quality of predicted physicochemical property data for a set of 25 PFAS was examined using COSMOtherm, EPI Suite, the estimation models accessible through the US Environmental Protection Agency's CompTox Chemicals Dashboard, and Linear Solvation Energy Relationships (LSERs) available through the UFZ-LSER Database. The results showed that COSMOtherm made the most accurate acid dissociation constant and air-water partition ratio estimates compared with literature data. The OPEn structure-activity/property Relationship App (OPERA; developed through the CompTox Chemicals Dashboard) estimates of vapor pressure and dry octanol-air partition ratios were the most accurate compared with other models of interest. Wet octanol-water partition ratios were comparably predicted by OPERA and EPI Suite, and the organic carbon soil coefficient and solubility were well predicted by OPERA and COSMOtherm. Acid dissociation of the perfluoroalkyl acids has a significant impact on their physicochemical properties, and corrections for ionization were included where applicable. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:775-786. © 2020 SETAC.

Best Practices for Derivation and Application of Thresholds for Metals Using Bioavailability-Based Approaches

The primary goal of the present study is to provide a broad view of best practices for evaluating bioavailability models for metals for use in the protection of aquatic life. We describe the state of the science regarding 1) the evaluation and selection of ecotoxicity data, 2) the selection of bioavailability models for use in normalization, and 3) subsequent application of bioavailability models. Although many examples of normalization steps exist worldwide, a scheme is proposed to evaluate and select a model that takes account of its representativeness (water chemistry and taxonomic coverage of the ecotoxicity data set) and validation performance. Important considerations for a suitable model are the quantity of inputs needed, accuracy, and ease of use, all of which are needed to set protective values for aquatic life and to use these values to evaluate potential risks to organisms in receiving waters. Although the end results of different model application approaches may be broadly similar, the differences in these application frameworks ultimately come down to a series of trade-offs between who needs to collect the data and use the bioavailability model, the different requirements of spatial scales involved (e.g., regional vs site-specific values), and model predictiveness and protectiveness. Ultimately, understanding the limits and consequences of these trade-offs allows for selection of the most appropriate model and application framework to best provide the intended levels of aquatic life protection. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;39:118-130. © 2019 SETAC.

Equilibrium biopartitioning of organic anions - A case study for humans and fish

In this work we combine partition coefficients between water and membrane lipid, storage lipid, the plasma protein albumin as well as structural protein with the tissue dependent fraction of the respective phases in order to obtain a clearer picture on the relevance of various biological tissues for the bioaccumulation of 31 organic anions. Most of the partition coefficients are based on experimental data, supplemented by some predicted ones. The data suggest that the plasma protein, albumin, will be the major sorption matrix in mammals. Only small fractions of the studied chemicals will occur freely dissolved in an organism. For the investigated acids with pKa <5, partitioning is dominated by the ionic species rather than the corresponding neutral species. Bioconcentration in fish is not expected to occur for many of these acids unless pH in the aqueous environment is low or specific sorption mechanisms are relevant. In contrast, biomagnification in terrestrial mammals would be expected for most organic anions if they are not sufficiently metabolized. We conclude that sorption is important for the toxicokinetics of ionizable organic chemicals and the dominating sorbing matrices are quite different from those for neutral species.

Improving substance information in USEtox® , part 1: Discussion on data and approaches for estimating freshwater ecotoxicity effect factors

The scientific consensus model USEtox^® is recommended by the European Commission as the reference model to characterize life cycle chemical emissions in terms of their potential human toxicity and freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity impacts in the context of the International Reference Life Cycle Data System Handbook and the Environmental Footprint pilot phase looking at products (PEF) and organizations (OEF). Consequently, this model has been systematically used within the PEF/OEF pilot phase by 25 European Union industry sectors, which manufacture a wide variety of consumer products. This testing phase has raised some questions regarding the derivation of and the data used for the chemical-specific freshwater ecotoxicity effect factor in USEtox. For calculating the potential freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity impacts, USEtox bases the effect factor on the chronic hazard concentration (HC50) value for a chemical calculated as the arithmetic mean of all logarithmized geometric means of species-specific chronic median lethal (or effect) concentrations (L[E]C50). We investigated the dependency of the USEtox effect factor on the selection of ecotoxicological data source and toxicological endpoints, and we found that both influence the ecotoxicity ranking of chemicals and may hence influence the conclusions of a PEF/OEF study. We furthermore compared the average measure (HC50) with other types of ecotoxicity effect indicators, such as the lowest species EC50 or no-observable-effect concentration, frequently used in regulatory risk assessment, and demonstrated how they may also influence the ecotoxicity ranking of chemicals. We acknowledge that these indicators represent different aspects of a chemical's ecotoxicity potential and discuss their pros and cons for a comparative chemical assessment as performed in life cycle assessment and in particular within the PEF/OEF context. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3450-3462. © 2017 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.

Improving substance information in USEtox® , part 2: Data for estimating fate and ecosystem exposure factors

The scientific consensus model USEtox^® has been developed since 2003 under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme-Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Life Cycle Initiative as a harmonized approach for characterizing human and freshwater toxicity in life cycle assessment and other comparative assessment frameworks. Using physicochemical substance properties, USEtox quantifies potential human toxicity and freshwater ecotoxicity impacts by combining environmental fate, exposure, and toxicity effects information, considering multimedia fate and multipathway exposure processes. The main source to obtain substance properties for USEtox 1.01 and 2.0 is the Estimation Program Interface (EPI Suite™) from the US Environmental Protection Agency. However, since the development of the original USEtox substance databases, new chemical regulations have been enforced in Europe, such as the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and the Plant Protection Products regulations. These regulations require that a chemical risk assessment for humans and the environment is performed before a chemical is placed on the European market. Consequently, additional physicochemical property data and new toxicological endpoints are now available for thousands of chemical substances. The aim of the present study was to explore the extent to which the new available data can be used as input for USEtox-especially for application in environmental footprint studies-and to discuss how this would influence the quantification of fate and exposure factors. Initial results show that the choice of data source and the parameters selected can greatly influence fate and exposure factors, leading to potentially different rankings and relative contributions of substances to overall human toxicity and ecotoxicity impacts. Moreover, it is crucial to discuss the relevance of the exposure factor for freshwater ecotoxicity impacts, particularly for persistent highly adsorbing and bioaccumulating substances. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3463-3470. © 2017 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.

Environmental risk assessment of chemicals and nanomaterials--The best foundation for regulatory decision-making?

Environmental risk assessment (ERA) is often considered as the most transparent, objective and reliable decision-making tool for informing the risk management of chemicals and nanomaterials. ERAs are based on the assumption that it is possible to provide accurate estimates of hazard and exposure and, subsequently, to quantify risk. In this paper we argue that since the quantification of risk is dominated by uncertainties, ERAs do not provide a transparent or an objective foundation for decision-making and they should therefore not be considered as a "holy grail" for informing risk management. We build this thesis on the analysis of two case studies (of nonylphenol and nanomaterials) as well as a historical analysis in which we address the scientific foundation for ERAs. The analyses show that ERAs do not properly address all aspects of actual risk, such as the mixture effect and the environmentally realistic risk from nanomaterials. Uncertainties have been recognised for decades, and assessment factors are used to compensate for the lack of realism in ERAs. The assessment factors' values were pragmatically determined, thus lowering the scientific accuracy of the ERAs. Furthermore, the default choice of standard assay for assessing a hazard might not always be the most biologically relevant, so we therefore argue that an ERA should be viewed as a pragmatic decision-making tool among several, and it should not have a special status for informing risk management. In relation to other relevant decision-making tools we discuss the use of chemical alternative assessments (CAAs) and the precautionary principle.

The Peptide Microarray-Based Resonance Light Scattering Assay for Sensitively Detecting Intracellular Kinase Activity

The peptide microarray technology is a robust, reliable, and efficient technique for large-scale determination of enzyme activities, and high-throughput profiling of substrate/inhibitor specificities of enzymes. Here, the activities of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) in different cell lysates have been detected by a peptide microarray-based resonance light scattering (RLS) assay with gold nanoparticle (GNP) probes. Highly sensitive detection of PKA activity in 0.1 μg total cell proteins of SHG-44 (human glioma cell) cell lysate (corresponding to 200 cells) is achieved by a selected peptide substrate. The experimental results also demonstrate that the RLS assay can be employed to evaluate the chemical regulation of intracellular kinase activity.

Review of laboratory-based terrestrial bioaccumulation assessment approaches for organic chemicals: Current status and future possibilities

In the last decade, interest has been renewed in approaches for the assessment of the bioaccumulation potential of chemicals, principally driven by the need to evaluate large numbers of chemicals as part of new chemical legislation, while reducing vertebrate test organism use called for in animal welfare legislation. This renewed interest has inspired research activities and advances in bioaccumulation science for neutral organic chemicals in aquatic environments. In January 2013, ILSI Health and Environmental Sciences Institute convened experts to identify the state of the science and existing shortcomings in terrestrial bioaccumulation assessment of neutral organic chemicals. Potential modifications to existing laboratory methods were identified, including areas in which new laboratory approaches or test methods could be developed to address terrestrial bioaccumulation. The utility of "non-ecotoxicity" data (e.g., mammalian laboratory data) was also discussed. The highlights of the workshop discussions are presented along with potential modifications in laboratory approaches and new test guidelines that could be used for assessing the bioaccumulation of chemicals in terrestrial organisms.

Green Chemistry at the present in Korea

OBJECTIVES

Despite the great contribution made by chemical substances to the development of modern civilization, their indiscriminate use has caused various kinds of damage to the global environment and human beings. Accordingly, the major developed countries and international society have tried to ensure the safe use of chemicals and a reduction in the use of hazardous chemicals through the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme and various international agreements. In this reason, we tried to introduce about Green Chemistry progress at the present in worldwide and Korea.

METHODS

We checked and analyzed relative journals, reports using keyword as like Green Chemistry, alternative chemicals, eco-friendly etc. and major country's government homepage search.

RESULTS

Green Chemistry theory, which argues for the reduction or removal of harmfulness in chemicals throughout their entire life-cycle, has been spreading, and major developed countries, such as the US and Denmark, have developed and operate programs to provide reliable chemical information to help replace hazardous chemicals. Korea has also been conducting studies as like eco-innovation project. Through this project the "Alternative Chemical Search program," has been developed, distributed, and operated since 2011 to provide reliable information to small and medium-sized businesses that have difficulties collecting information to ensure conformity to international regulations. The program provides information that includes the regulations of major countries and Korea, information on 340 alternative chemicals, 70 application cases, and 1:1 consulting.

CONCLUSIONS

The Alternative Chemical Search program is expected to contribute to the establishment of response systems for regulation of Korean small and medium-sized businesses, and it also will be used to provide basic data for Korean hazardous chemical regulation, together with the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances and the Chemical Control act, making it possible to establish an infrastructure for Green Chemistry in Korea and to increase national competitiveness.

Global change and mercury cycling: challenges for implementing a global mercury treaty

The Minamata Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury. In the present study, the provisions of the Minamata Convention are examined to assess their influence on global biogeochemical cycling of Hg. Although the convention's scope covers all major categories of atmospheric emissions, the degree to which it will affect future emissions trajectories remains unclear. A box model analysis shows that future global biogeochemical cycling under projected technological provisions would result mainly in avoided increases and that estimated differences in atmospheric concentrations resulting from policies would be on the order of 1% to 2% per year. Present experience suggests that scientific knowledge is not currently sufficient to attribute causes to changes of this magnitude. Enhancements to capacity to measure the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention are suggested, including both measurement and modeling.