Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) is a tool often used to support risk-based decision-making. An essential step in the process of applying reproductive and developmental effects data within a risk assessment context is developing an understanding of how the information is relevant to the risk-based policy question at hand. This chapter addresses how reproductive and development effects data from studies of contaminants can be used by ERA. The authors also discuss how a number of important policy, technical, and procedural topics are addressed in the course of framing and implementing the risk assessment. One of the authors' objectives is to determine if the current ERA paradigm needs modifications to address unique risks of contaminants to oviparous vertebrates. A secondary objective is to provide information on ERA procedures to toxicologists, physiologists, ecologists, chemists, and modelers who are knowledgeable about oviparous vertebrates, illuminating how the results of their disciplines may be used in this area.

"September 21 1998." Includes bibliographical references (pages 51-58). Microfiche.