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An Overview of the Use of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships for Ranking and Prioritzing Large Chemical Inventories for Environmental Risk Assessments
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (2003)
  • Steven P. Bradbury
  • Christine L. Russom
  • Roger L. Breton
  • John D. Walker
Abstract

Ecological risk assessments for chemical stressors are used to establish linkages between likely exposure concentrations and adverse effects to ecological receptors. At times, it is useful to conduct screening risk assessments to assist in prioritizing or ranking chemicals on the basis of potential hazard and exposure assessment parameters. Ranking of large chemical inventories can provide evidence for focusing research and/or cleanup efforts on specific chemicals of concern. Because of financial and time constraints, data gaps exist, and the risk assessor is left with decisions on which models to use to estimate the parameter of concern. In this review, several methods are presented for using quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSARs) in conducting hazard screening or screening-level risk assessments. The ranking methods described include those related to current regulatory issues associated with chemical inventories from Canada, Europe, and the United States and an example of a screening-level risk assessment conducted on chemicals associated with a watershed in the midwest region of the United States.

Keywords
  • Chemical ranking,
  • Chemical screening,
  • Regulation,
  • Chemical inventory,
  • Risk assessment
Publication Date
2003
Publisher Statement
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
Citation Information
Steven P. Bradbury, Christine L. Russom, Roger L. Breton and John D. Walker. "An Overview of the Use of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships for Ranking and Prioritzing Large Chemical Inventories for Environmental Risk Assessments" Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Vol. 22 Iss. 8 (2003)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/steven_bradbury/9/