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Key Opportunities to Replace, Reduce, and Refine Regulatory Fish Acute Toxicity Tests
Author(s) -
Burden Natalie,
Benstead Rachel,
Benyon Kate,
Clook Mark,
Green Christopher,
Handley John,
Harper Neil,
Maynard Samuel K.,
Mead Chris,
Pearson Audrey,
Ryder Kathryn,
Sheahan Dave,
Egmond Roger,
Wheeler James R.,
Hutchinson Thomas H.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.4824
Subject(s) - acute toxicity , scope (computer science) , fish <actinopterygii> , chemical safety , government (linguistics) , ecotoxicology , hazard , hazard analysis , toxicology , risk assessment , toxicity , guideline , test (biology) , risk analysis (engineering) , business , engineering , biology , medicine , computer science , ecology , fishery , computer security , linguistics , philosophy , pathology , programming language , aerospace engineering
Abstract Fish acute toxicity tests are conducted as part of regulatory hazard identification and risk‐assessment packages for industrial chemicals and plant protection products. The aim of these tests is to determine the concentration which would be lethal to 50% of the animals treated. These tests are therefore associated with suffering in the test animals, and Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development test guideline 203 (fish, acute toxicity) studies are the most widely conducted regulatory vertebrate ecotoxicology tests for prospective chemical safety assessment. There is great scope to apply the 3Rs principles—the reduction, refinement, and replacement of animals—in this area of testing. An expert ecotoxicology working group, led by the UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, including members from government, academia, and industry, reviewed global fish acute test data requirements for the major chemical sectors. The present study highlights ongoing initiatives and provides an overview of the key challenges and opportunities associated with replacing, reducing, and/or refining fish acute toxicity studies—without compromising environmental protection. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2076–2089. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.