Contaminant-related Activities in Support of Client Agencies in the Department of the Interior
We undertake many research activities in support of the mission of the Department of the Interior. One such activity is to evaluate the potential hazard and risk of environmental contaminants to natural resources.
The Challenge: The Department of the Interior has extensive responsibilities for management of fish and wildlife, and their supporting habitat. Stewardship activities include assessment of potentially adverse effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors on biota, including chemical contaminants. We assist by providing scientific information to support development of federal guidelines, regulations and statutes. We identify and communicate information on the exposure and effects of contaminants in wildlife so that responsible agencies may take action to prevent or mitigate adverse effects and remediate polluted habitats.
The Science: The Department of the Interior serves on the Interagency Testing Committee of the Toxic Substances Control Act that gathers information on the fate and environmental effects of various contaminants to help set priorities for the US Environmental
Protection Agency. As a member of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the validation of Alternative Methods, we provide perspective on the development and regulatory value of toxicological methods that minimize the number of animal subjects used, or replace test subjects altogether by use of in vitro test methods. We also assist the Fish and Wildlife Service though expert opinion on the testing and potential toxicity of various shot and shot coatings used in hunting, and their hazard when ingested by waterfowl and raptors, including the California condor.
The Future: The potential hazards and ecotoxicological data gaps related to surfactants, certain metals and persistent bioaccumulative toxicants continue to be brought to the attention of the Interagency Testing Committee of the Environmental Protection Agency. Information on new types of shot and shot coating to be used in hunting of waterfowl have been evaluated, and now take the place of lead shot that posed hazard to waterfowl and other wildlife. Adverse outcome pathways are being developed for use in ecological risk assessments. Various reviews (e.g., anticoagulant hazards to non-target wildlife) and databases (e.g., the Whole Wildlife Toxicology Catalog) on toxicity of chemicals to wildlife continue to be compiled and used by risk assessors and natural resource managers.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Whole Wildlife Toxicology Catalog
Below are publications associated with this project.
Alternative approaches to vertebrate ecotoxicity tests in the 21st century: A review of developments over the last 2 decades and current status
Use of terrestrial field studies in the derivation of bioaccumulation potential of chemicals
Interactive effects of climate change with nutrients, mercury, and freshwater acidification on key taxa in the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative region
Adverse outcome pathway and risks of anticoagulant rodenticides to predatory wildlife
Copper pellets simulating oral exposure to copper ammunition: Absence of toxicity in American kestrels (Falco sparverius)
Wildlife toxicology: environmental contaminants and their national and international regulation
The toll of toxics: investigating environmental contaminants
Technical review of the sources and implications of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on natural resources
Sources and implications of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on natural resources
Management concerns about known and potential impacts of lead use in shooting and in fishing activities
Migratory bird hunting: Revised test protocol for nontoxic approval procedures for shot and shot coating; Final rule
Below are partners associated with this project.
We undertake many research activities in support of the mission of the Department of the Interior. One such activity is to evaluate the potential hazard and risk of environmental contaminants to natural resources.
The Challenge: The Department of the Interior has extensive responsibilities for management of fish and wildlife, and their supporting habitat. Stewardship activities include assessment of potentially adverse effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors on biota, including chemical contaminants. We assist by providing scientific information to support development of federal guidelines, regulations and statutes. We identify and communicate information on the exposure and effects of contaminants in wildlife so that responsible agencies may take action to prevent or mitigate adverse effects and remediate polluted habitats.
The Science: The Department of the Interior serves on the Interagency Testing Committee of the Toxic Substances Control Act that gathers information on the fate and environmental effects of various contaminants to help set priorities for the US Environmental
Protection Agency. As a member of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the validation of Alternative Methods, we provide perspective on the development and regulatory value of toxicological methods that minimize the number of animal subjects used, or replace test subjects altogether by use of in vitro test methods. We also assist the Fish and Wildlife Service though expert opinion on the testing and potential toxicity of various shot and shot coatings used in hunting, and their hazard when ingested by waterfowl and raptors, including the California condor.
The Future: The potential hazards and ecotoxicological data gaps related to surfactants, certain metals and persistent bioaccumulative toxicants continue to be brought to the attention of the Interagency Testing Committee of the Environmental Protection Agency. Information on new types of shot and shot coating to be used in hunting of waterfowl have been evaluated, and now take the place of lead shot that posed hazard to waterfowl and other wildlife. Adverse outcome pathways are being developed for use in ecological risk assessments. Various reviews (e.g., anticoagulant hazards to non-target wildlife) and databases (e.g., the Whole Wildlife Toxicology Catalog) on toxicity of chemicals to wildlife continue to be compiled and used by risk assessors and natural resource managers.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Whole Wildlife Toxicology Catalog
Below are publications associated with this project.
Alternative approaches to vertebrate ecotoxicity tests in the 21st century: A review of developments over the last 2 decades and current status
Use of terrestrial field studies in the derivation of bioaccumulation potential of chemicals
Interactive effects of climate change with nutrients, mercury, and freshwater acidification on key taxa in the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative region
Adverse outcome pathway and risks of anticoagulant rodenticides to predatory wildlife
Copper pellets simulating oral exposure to copper ammunition: Absence of toxicity in American kestrels (Falco sparverius)
Wildlife toxicology: environmental contaminants and their national and international regulation
The toll of toxics: investigating environmental contaminants
Technical review of the sources and implications of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on natural resources
Sources and implications of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on natural resources
Management concerns about known and potential impacts of lead use in shooting and in fishing activities
Migratory bird hunting: Revised test protocol for nontoxic approval procedures for shot and shot coating; Final rule
Below are partners associated with this project.