A critical review of frameworks used for evaluating reliability and relevance of (eco)toxicity data: Perspectives for an integrated eco-human decision-making framework. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roth, N.; Ciffroy, P.
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 95(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 16
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Reliability -- Relevance -- Data evaluation -- Quality assessment -- Integrated hazard assessment -- Integrated risk assessment; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.07.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Considerable efforts have been invested so far to evaluate and rank the quality and relevance of (eco)toxicity data for their use in regulatory risk assessment to assess chemical hazards. Many frameworks have been developed to improve robustness and transparency in the evaluation of reliability and relevance of individual tests, but these frameworks typically focus on either environmental risk assessment (ERA) or human health risk assessment (HHRA), and there is little cross talk between them. There is a need to develop a common approach that would support a more consistent, transparent and robust evaluation and weighting of the evidence across ERA and HHRA. This paper explores the applicability of existing Data Quality Assessment (DQA) frameworks for integrating environmental toxicity hazard data into human health assessments and vice versa. We performed a comparative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of eleven frameworks for evaluating reliability and/or relevance of toxicity and ecotoxicity hazard data. We found that a frequent shortcoming is the lack of a clear separation between reliability and relevance criteria. A further gaps and needs analysis revealed that none of the reviewed frameworks satisfy the needs of a common eco-human DQA system. Based on our analysis, some key characteristics, perspectives and recommendations are identified and discussed for building a common DQA system as part of a future integrated eco-human decision-making framework. This work lays the basis for developing a common DQA system to support the further development and promotion of Integrated Risk Assessment. Graphical abstract: Highlights: More objective, robust and transparent quality assessment frameworks are needed. Building a common data quality assessment system is a key point for integration. Transversal frameworks apply equally to eco-human targets and several data typology. Future schemes integrate expert knowledge and variability, preferences and values. Quantitative statistically-based methods to data quality evaluation are recommended.