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Human Pharmaceuticals in the Environment pp 109–137Cite as

A Look Backwards at Environmental Risk Assessment: An Approach to Reconstructing Ecological Exposures

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Part of the book series: Emerging Topics in Ecotoxicology ((ETEP,volume 4))

Abstract

The primary goal for environmental protection is to eliminate or minimize the exposure of humans and ecosystems to potential contaminants. With the number of environmental contaminants increasing annually, more than 2,000 new chemicals are manufactured or imported each year for use in the USA, understanding the sources of contaminants, the movement of contaminants through environmental media, and the contact of contaminants with humans and ecosystems is critical to advancing environmental protection in the USA. A shift in emphasis from detection of chemical exposure to reconstruction of exposure scenarios will enhance the ability to assess the effectiveness of current environmental regulations and to improve environmental risk assessment for both humans and ecosystems. Exposure reconstruction is a concept that can guide this shift in research focus. Exposure reconstruction, as defined in this chapter, is the characterization of exposures, environmental concentrations, and/or sources from internal biological measurements that are used to inform environmental decision-making (Fig. 1).

This document has been reviewed in accordance with US Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Agency nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Designation of macromolecular products: vtg, transcribed vitellogenin gene product (mRNA) and Vtg, circulating vitellogenin protein, follows the Zebrafish Nomenclature Guidelines, based on Trends in Genetics Genetic Nomenclature Guide (1998), found at http://zfin.org/zf_info/nomen.html#1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Exposure Research Laboratory, Ecological Exposure Research Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA

    David Lattier, James M. Lazorchak, Florence Fulk & Mitchell Kostich

Authors
  1. David Lattier
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  2. James M. Lazorchak
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  3. Florence Fulk
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  4. Mitchell Kostich
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Lattier .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Baylor University, 1 Bear Place, Waco, 76798, Texas, USA

    Bryan W. Brooks

  2. University of North Texas, N/A, Denton, 76203, Texas, USA

    Duane B. Huggett

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Lattier, D., Lazorchak, J.M., Fulk, F., Kostich, M. (2012). A Look Backwards at Environmental Risk Assessment: An Approach to Reconstructing Ecological Exposures. In: Brooks, B., Huggett, D. (eds) Human Pharmaceuticals in the Environment. Emerging Topics in Ecotoxicology, vol 4. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3473-3_6

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