Implementing Normal Operating Range Concepts for Pesticide Environmental Risk Assessments: Insights, Challenges, and...

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Toxicology

Background:

• The Normal Operating Range (NOR) describes natural variability in organisms and ecosystems.
• NOR concepts are emerging in pesticide environmental risk assessment (ERA) to add ecological context.
• This approach can support specific environmental protection goals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the derivation and application of NOR concepts in pesticide ERA.
• To identify benefits and challenges of integrating NOR into regulatory frameworks.
• To enhance ecological context in effect assessments.

Main Methods:

• Expert workshop discussions on NOR derivation and applicability.
• Review of current efforts and challenges in pesticide ERA.
• Consideration of ecological modeling for variability analysis.

Main Results:

• NOR approaches can enhance decision-making in pesticide ERA.
• Key challenges include defining effect thresholds and ensuring consistency.
• Data limitations and the need for standardized methodologies were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Successful NOR implementation requires stakeholder collaboration for data and methods.
• Integrating natural variability into decision-making is crucial.
• A harmonized approach using empirical data and transparent methodologies is essential for pesticide ERA.