In Environmental Toxicology the effects of new and existing chemicals on biotic systems in water, water-sediment and terrestrial environments are evaluated. The vast majority of tests performed are conducted with pharmaceuticals (EMA), industrial (REACH) and agro-chemicals. 

The Environmental Toxicology section has highly qualified and dedicated staff to carry out the testing. Our scientists are experienced in working not only with soluble and stable compounds, but also with poorly soluble, instable, volatile or colored compounds. The studies are supported by substance specific chemical analysis to ascertain stability and to confirm actual exposure concentrations during testing.

Acute, sub acute and chronic tests are performed with internationally recognized species at varying trophic levels. Tests performed routinely at the Environmental Toxicology laboratory are listed here. Depending on the stability of the test substance in water and the type of study these tests can be performed under static, semi-static or flow-through conditions.

New developments in the field of environmental toxicology are constantly monitored by the team, contributing to continuous development and the integration of new tests into our programs.

NOTOX also actively contributes to the development of new tests. NOTOX participates in international research programs validating in vivo study designs to assess possible endocrine disrupting activity of compounds. recently, the fish short term screening assay and the amphibian metamorphosis assay (frogs) were implemented

The updated guidance document 126 for the OECD guideline 203 (Fish acute toxicity test) is published. The NOTOX publication "Alternative approach can greatly reduce the number of fish used for acute toxicity testing" was referenced in the guidance document. It argues to sustain the potential of the treshold approach for pharmaceuticals as well as for other substances (Hoekzema et al. 2006). It helps to reduce the number of animals used in tests by about 88%.

Biodegradation (ready and/or inherent) of organic substances are assessed by a variety of studies.

With regard to terrestrial testing we perform studies with earthworms, plants, non-target arthropods and honeybees.

Please click on Environmental fate if you want more information.

Please click on the items below for more information or contact us directly.

DOWNLOAD

Guidance document 126 for the OECD guideline 203

Estrogenic endpoints in fish

Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (flyer)

Environmental Toxicology agrochemicals (flyer)

Environmental Toxicology industrial chemicals (flyer)

Environmental Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals (flyer)

Validation of the sensitivity of transgenic zebrafisch (publication)

QSARS in ecotoxicological risk assessment (publication)

Exposure of non-spawning male and female zebrafish and fathead minnow to 17alpha-methyldihydrostestosterone and 17alpha-ethenylestradiol (publication)

Alternative approaches can greatly reduce the number of fish used for acute toxicity testing (publication)

Development of chronic tests for endocrine active chemicals (publication)

Strategies for preventing low mass balances in environmental fate studies with 14 C-labelled pesticides (poster)

Validation of a method for the determination of benfuracarb and its metabolites in environmental matrices using LC/MS/MS (poster)

To view the link(s) above, you need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.