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Adverse Outcome Pathways in Ecotoxicology Research
Citation:
HORNUNG, M. Adverse Outcome Pathways in Ecotoxicology Research. Presented at SOT Northland Chapter Meeting, St. Paul, MN, October 07, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
Using an AOP framework can help focus toxicity testing to relevant endpoints and species, and provides a mechanistic anchor for predictive chemical structure-activity relationships. Several examples of AOPs will be presented, highlighting the variety of AOPs and their utility for guiding ecotoxicology research in the future.
Description:
Just as for chemical risk assessments for human health, ecotoxicology risk assessments face the daunting challenge posed by the large number of chemicals currently in use that could potentially impact the environment. In addition, the limited amount of toxicological data on many of these chemicals, especially for effects on endpoints of relatively recent focus such as endocrine disruption, makes this even more challenging. To support chemical risk assessments, an Adverse Outcomes Pathway (AOP) approach provides a framework to help understand the relevant steps leading to an adverse effect, beginning at the initial molecular initiating event between chemical and biological target, and culminating in an adverse effect at the level of the whole organism or population. Using an AOP framework can help focus toxicity testing to relevant endpoints and species, and provides a mechanistic anchor for predictive chemical structure-activity relationships. Several examples of AOPs will be presented, highlighting the variety of AOPs and their utility for guiding ecotoxicology research in the future.