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Availability of Biota-sediment Accumulation Factor Data Set and PCB Residue Effects Database
Citation:
RUSSOM, C. L., L. P. BURKHARD, AND D. HOFF. Availability of Biota-sediment Accumulation Factor Data Set and PCB Residue Effects Database. IN: SETAC Globe, SETAC Press, Pensacola, FL, 9(3):5, (2008).
Impact/Purpose:
This research was undertaken to better inform decision making and reduce uncertainties related to risk assessments at Superfund sites.
Description:
At contaminated sites, EPA’s Superfund program must decide how best to protect public health and the environment. This research was undertaken to better inform decision making and reduce uncertainties related to risk assessments at Superfund sites. A residue-effects database (PCBRes) has been assembled, which builds upon previous efforts, for fish, bird, and non-primate and non-domestic mammal species for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The database will make current day scientific toxicological literature for PCBs readily available to Superfund. When PCBs are of concern at Superfund sites, PRPs (potentially responsible parties) and EPA’s Remedial Project Managers and Risk Assessor are involved in lengthy and costly efforts to define critical tissue residues and subsequently, remediation goals at every site. The residue-effects database effort will shorten this effort and reduce conflict on appropriate residues and remediation goals. The Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF), can be used to evaluate the transfer of chemicals from sediments into the aquatic food chain. The BSAFs are derived from sediment and biota (e.g., fish, invertebrates) data collected from Superfund sites. For Superfund sites with limited or no field tissue data, BSAFs from the data set can be used as a screening tool for predicting bioaccumulation (the accumulation of a substance in tissues of a living organism). In addition, the output from the BSAF data set can interface with the PCBRes to determine if accumulated levels may be of concern relative to effects documented in the toxicological literature.
