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What level of effect is a no observed effect?
Author(s) -
Crane Mark,
Newman Michael C.
Publication year - 2000
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.5620190234
Subject(s) - ecotoxicity , toxicology , statistic , biology , statistics , toxicity , mathematics , medicine
The no observed effect concentration (NOEC) is currently a major summary statistic in ecotoxicity testing. Its use is heavily criticized, partly because it is a poor estimator of “safe” chemical concentrations. In this short communication, we review the limited information available on the percentage effect that corresponds with the NOEC, a value designated the EC NOEC , and calculate EC NOEC values for fish growth data. The average EC NOEC for different test protocols was found to vary widely, with values for chronic studies ranging from 10 to 34%. Individual results varied even more widely. This analysis suggests that the NOEC is neither a consistent summary statistic nor an indicator of safe concentrations of toxic chemicals.