Reducing the number of fish in bioconcentration studies with general chemicals by reducing the number of test concentrations

Abstract

Fish bioconcentration test guidelines generally require that bioconcentration factors (BCFs) are determined at two exposure concentrations. However, recent revisions to the OECD test guideline for bioconcentration testing (TG 305) provide the option to use only one exposure concentration, when justification is provided, although two concentrations may still be required for some regulatory purposes. Recently, this justification has been demonstrated for plant protection product active ingredients. To determine whether this justification has a broader validity for general chemicals, an analysis of 236 BCF studies on general chemicals was conducted. The results presented here again demonstrate that BCF values do not significantly differ between concentrations when more than one concentration is used. This relationship is particularly strong for BCFs ⩾1000L/kg, which is beneficial, since only chemicals with BCFs >2000L/kg may require regulatory action. This analysis therefore provides a data-driven rationale for using the one test concentration approach for general chemical substances and thus could contribute to a substantial reduction in the use of fish in bioconcentration tests.

Assessing the impact of benzo[ a ]pyrene with the in vitro fish gut model: An integrated approach for eco-genotoxicological studies

“…The time and resources necessary to support this approach run counter to the demands being faced at present. Furthermore, there is mounting pressure to minimise animal usage and to use animal-free approaches in initial testing strategies, where possible [2][3][4][5]. For many years, assays using cell lines derived from fish have been proposed as alternatives to animal use in aquatic toxicity testing with excellent reviews on the topic available [6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Reducing the number of fish in regulatory bioconcentration testing: Identifying and overcoming the barriers to using the 1‐concentration approach

“…The United Kingdom's National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) initiated a project to determine whether BCF values are dependent on concentration. This project consisted of retrospective data analyses on publicly available data for 55 PPP active substances and 236 general chemicals, comparing experimental fish BCF values obtained at 2 test concentrations (Creton et al 2013;Burden et al 2014). These analyses showed that there is no statistically significant difference between BCF values generated at low and high concentrations, suggesting that the BCF value is largely independent of test concentration (Figure 1).…”

“…The views or statements expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the organizations with which the authors are affiliated, and those organizations cannot accept any responsibility for such views or statements. Creton et al (2013) and Burden et al (2014). BCF ¼ bioconcentration factor; PPP ¼ plant protection product.…”

Learned discourses: Timely scientific opinions

“…2,000 L/kg). Figure based on data from Creton et al (2013) and Burden et al (2014). BCF ¼ bioconcentration factor; PPP ¼ plant protection product.…”